CJ Griffin Quoted in TAPinto Newark Article, “Newark School Board Criticized for 'Draconian' and 'Ridiculous' Rules Limiting Public Comment”

CJ Griffin, partner and director of the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C., was recently quoted in TAPinto Newark article titled, “Newark School Board Criticized for 'Draconian' and 'Ridiculous' Rules Limiting Public Comment.” The article discusses Newark School Board's recent policies limiting public comment during meetings. The new policies require potential speakers to sign up online five days in advance of the public meeting and require them to give a detailed description of the topic they wish to cover.

Griffin said public agencies are permitted to enact reasonable rules around public comment. However, she said the requirements imposed by Newark “seem Draconian.”

“Schools are funded exclusively by taxpayers and community members send their kids there. These Boards of Education need to remember who they work for and prioritize public feedback,” said Griffin.

“Folks deserve to be heard and these procedures make that very difficult. It’s almost as if the public comment period is just a box they check off and something to get out of the way, rather than something they actively choose to listen to in order to improve the services they are providing to our community,” said Griffin.

To read the full TAPinto Newark article, click here.