LEWISTON — Residents and School Department employees will be prioritized during the public comment period at School Committee meetings.

Waiving a second reading, the committee approved changes to the public comment policy during an April 7 meeting. It limits the comment period to 30 minutes, with each person getting three minutes to speak, and allowing residents and employees to speak first.

The policy goes into effect at the next regular meeting April 28.

The committee chairperson, which is now Megan Parks, will have the discretion to extend that 30-minute period and further limit the length of time people can give comment at meetings as needed.

Committee member Janet Beaudoin from Ward 2 said at the meeting that she wanted only residents, school employees and people who have business in Lewiston to be allowed to speak during public comment, while only allowing nonresidents to submit written comments.

Committee member Elizabeth Eames of Ward 3 said legally the School Department cannot exclude nonresidents from making public comment at meetings, though she agrees with Beaudoin in principle.

Committee member Phoenix McLaughlin of Ward 1 said he thought the proposed public comment statement, to be read at each meeting, was too long and wanted to see if there was a way to shorten it.

He also wanted to see a statement in it making clear to the public that the chairperson can further limit the length of comment from people to under three minutes, feeling it could be unfair to let the first 10 people speak and shutting others out.

Parks said the statement does not have to be voted on by the committee so they can continue to “wordsmith” it even after the policy changes are approved. She also said the length of public comment can be extended, depending on how many people show up to make public comment.

As a way to save time, City Council representative Scott Harriman suggested the policy be printed and available for people to read before they comment, instead of reading the statement before each period.

Eames made the motion to waive the second reading of the policy changes and it was approved unanimously.

Resident Matthew Agren asked the committee to reconsider waiving the second reading, saying some people might want to speak to them about the changes before they go into effect at the next regular meeting.

Resident Melissa Dunn told the committee they should consider the barriers to participating in public comment when drafting or changing the policy, whether needing an interpreter or other challenges, she said. It can be particularly difficult for people needing to maintain anonymity and the committee should honor confidentiality.

She said the “anti-away” messaging to her is reminiscent of anti-immigration and xenophobic speech. While it is important to prioritize employees, staff and families, there are people who work with youth in the city and they might need to submit testimony.

After public comment, the committee voted to approve the revisions, with Beaudoin in opposition.