Mertz called the Madison School Board proposal a “reasonable version of a bad idea,” adding that he believes other possible changes, such as barring speakers at regular School Board meetings from commenting on items that are not on the agenda or designating a set block of time for public speaking, would be worse.

In an Oct. 18 memo to the School Board, Madison School District attorney Matthew Bell said the revisions are meant to give the public “ample opportunity” to speak “while also allowing the board to complete the action items set forth on any given agenda in a timely manner.”

Neither Bell nor School Board President Mary Burke returned calls for comment Thursday.

Mertz said he does not know who requested the proposal be drafted. The memo by Bell says only that “the board requested suggestions regarding revisions” to the public testimony policy.

There is currently a provision in the School Board’s public hearing policy, known as Policy 1222, that allows the board or a schools committee, by a majority vote, to put further limitations on public speaking.

“We have that tool if somebody wanted to invoke it,” Mertz said.