ADAMS TWP — Recently contested revisions to Mars Area School District's public comment policy (Policy 903) were approved Tuesday night, with board members Megan Lenz and Anthony DePretis voting against the measure.

One of the biggest revisions to the policy is that it now limits public comment from five to three minutes per person at board meetings.

The board allows for two 30-minute public comment sections, held at the beginning and end of each meeting.

The board last week said the decision to limit speaking time came from a desire to hear more people in the 30-minute periods.

John Kennedy, board president, also said the revisions seemed to be more in line with what other districts allow.

Still, parents have said they don't understand the move to downsize the per-person allotment.

District parent Greg Mason, who asked the board to clarify the move during the Nov. 4 meeting, reiterated his concerns Tuesday night after saying he's reviewed policies in “neighboring school districts.”

“Seneca Valley, for instance,” Mason said. “Their (public) speaking participants are limited to four minutes.”

Mason asked how often the board encounters public comment sessions that run out of time without everyone who wants to speak getting the chance to do so.

“Is this a once-every-two-month type issue?” Mason asked.

Kennedy said the problem usually arises when there's a large crowd at a board meeting, which varies from month to month.

Mason disputed the claim that the time limit was revised to allow for more people to speak during public comment sessions.

“The evidence does not seem to be there,” Mason said.

Referencing comments she made last week, Lenz said she's concerned the revisions won't allow all parents to speak.

As it's written, the policy says those eligible to speak during public comment must “be permanent residents and/or taxpayers of this district.”

Lenz suggested this leaves out parents who live outside the district, such as in cases of divorce.

“I think the policy affects parents' ability to advocate for their children,” Lenz said.

Kennedy argued the district has a “proper procedure” in place for parents to pursue answers through the district outside of board meetings.

“Any parent of a student can go to teachers, principals, administrators,” Kennedy said.

Board member Christine Valenta said the board often sees parents speaking about specific issues for specific children during public comment.

“We do have a chain of command,” Valenta said. “That doesn't preclude anyone ... from coming forward and following the chain of command within the district.”

The revised policy does allow the board to adjust public comment periods as it deems suitable.