A decision by USD 253 Emporia to end livestreaming board meetings is on hold for now.
The decision was announced as part of board proceedings in late October. Board President Jami Reever says conversations to possibly end the livestreaming option started developing after a standoff incident near Mary Herbert Education Center in late June — right before a board meeting, which was shifted on short notice to Walnut Elementary.
At the same time, the Kansas Association of School Boards gave legal guidance recommending no livestreaming or recording of board meetings.
Reever says the ultimate decision to stop livestreaming was hers, based on the low viewership numbers, KASB guidance, concerns about Americans with Disabilities Act compliance and conversations with the district’s leadership team.
While there were a lot of social media posts questioning or criticizing the decision, Reever tells KVOE News she only had a handful of direct contacts offering reasons to continue the livestream — but there were good reasons to keep the online viewing option.
Saying it was “a really easy decision” for transparency reasons, Reever says the immediate path going forward is to form a committee to get public feedback on either having a livestream, recorded meeting for online playback or both options. Reever also says the board did not consider the decision’s timing when making the announcement, but she also says the board would likely face some criticism if it waited until after Tuesday’s general election.
The committee formation is not currently on the USD 253 Board of Education meeting agenda for Wednesday. Items for conversation and/or possible action include the latest construction update from McCownGordon, the sale of Chromebooks, a three-year agreement for using a new phone system, a FastBridge and state assessment data discussion, nonresident student enrollment policy and the latest executive session for superintendent evaluation.
The board meeting starts at 6:30 pm Wednesday at Mary Herbert Education Center. Meetings, including the one Wednesday, will be livestreamed until the committee can meet, gather information and develop a recommendation for the board.
