Patrons wishing to make comments before the Warren County R-III School Board no longer will be required to submit written requests the week prior to monthly meetings in a significant policy change passed at this month's meeting. The board approved the revised policy by a 5-2 vote, with members Carmen Schulze and David Housewright in opposition. During the patron comments portion of meetings, which are normally held the second Thursday of each month, citizens are invited to speak for or against any proposal on the meeting agenda or on any other school-related issue or concern. While speakers may offer objective comments and complaints about school operations and programs, complaints and viewpoints pertaining to school personnel or any person connected with the school district will not be heard during the public session, officials said. For legitimate complaints involving individuals, the policy notes that other channels are available for patrons to voice their findings and opinions to the board, which discusses personnel matters in its closed executive sessions. As the board changed its policy to eliminate the requirement that patrons wishing to make public comments submit a request by the Friday preceding the Thursday board meetings, individuals still will be required to complete a form any time prior to the meeting signaling their intention to make a statement. Remarks will be limited to five minutes per person unless an extension is granted by the board. Comments will be limited to three patrons per meeting not to exceed a total of 20 minutes. Registration information is available on the school district's Web site or through the central office. "The parameters the board agreed to are much the same as before, but in keeping with the direction we are seeing from other districts, we believe it's the right thing to do to eliminate the week-ahead advance period to offer more flexibility and opportunity for engagement to our patrons," said Dale Schowe, board president. Schulze noted that most of the committees at the state Capitol are moving toward imposing more limitations on public comments, including distinct days-out advance registration requirements for public comments. Housewright voiced concerns that it will be difficult to terminate speaker remarks at five minutes as "hot topics" surface during this aspect of the meetings. Schowe said he thought the requirement of five minutes per speaker would enable patrons to keep their comments tight. "In the end, everyone should have the right to come and speak as a patron," said board treasurer Beth Banze.