Public comment process has improved; could go further

The Frederick County Board of Education has approved significant changes to its policy on public comments at board meetings — but the board could go further. Under the new policy, board meetings will begin with an hour allotted for public comment, rather than the current 30 minutes. Each person will be allowed to speak for three minutes, for a maximum of 20 speakers. Someone speaking on behalf of an organization will no longer be given extra time.