Board debates live-streaming meetings
POTTSTOWN >> The Pottstown School Board remains divided on whether to broadcast video of its committee meetings live on Facebook.
The matter was discussed at the full board meeting on Aug. 12, a meeting which is live-streamed on the district’s Facebook page every month.
As of Friday, that live-stream video had been viewed by more than 500 people.
The discussion came just after the board digested the results of a community survey meant to gauge the district’s communication with the public; a survey in which its constituents reported they want more information about the operations of the school district.
Board member Raymond Rose argued that the public deserves transparency from the board, and if that means that he sometimes puts his foot in his mouth and says something he shouldn’t, “well that will just make it more interesting television.”
Board member Kurt Heidel argued that many of those who come to (and watch the livestream of) full board meetings feel confused because the discussion has all occurred at the committees and the votes occur without discussion. “They tell me it seems like we’ve all made up our minds beforehand,” he said.
John Armato, who in addition to being a school board member is also the district’s unpaid director of community relations, took up these theme with particular pointedness.
“We ask those people every year for $40 million; they entrust us
“Tonight we just voted on 16 items by consent andnoone watching knows how we reached those decisions.”
— John Armato, Pottstown School Board member
with about 3,200 of their young people. Tonight we just voted on 16 items by consent and no one watching knows how we reached those decisions,” Armato said. “I feel very deeply that we owe them this transparency.”
Susan Lawrence said talk at committee meetings is very open and nonstructured, including from parents and teachers who attend, but some might not feel as free to speak their minds if they knew the meeting was being livestreamed. School Board President Amy Francis said she could support a “soft opening,” using the example of live-streaming the finances and facilities committee meetings to see how it goes.
Kim Stilwell took another tack, saying despite the fact that the issue first came up in a public relations committee meeting; and was discussed by the full board at their July workshop meeting, that “not everyone has had their say.”
Her comments were based on the fact that the issue had never officially appeared on a committee meeting agenda. “I believe strongly in the committee system,” said Stilwell.
Stilwell got what she wanted.
With Community Relations Committee Chairwoman Katina Bearden saying she supports the move, but only wants the board to do its “due diligence” in adopting rules for the livestreams, the matter was tabled to her committee for further discussion.
Armato, Rose and Heidel all voted against tabling the matter and supported bringing the matter to a vote of the full board Thursday night.
Heidel, who chairs the Finance and Facilities Committee, took Francis up on her suggestion.
He said he will put the matter on his committee’s agenda as well and pursue live-streaming his committee, even if the board ultimately decides against livestreaming the others.
The next scheduled meeting of the finance and facilities committee is Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the administration building at 230 Beech St.
The next scheduled meeting of the community relations committee is Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the administration building at 230 Beech St.
If you want to find out what’s said, you’ll have to go in person because neither meeting will be livestreamed — yet.
“They tell me it seems like we’ve all made up our minds beforehand.”
— Kurt Heidel, Pottstown School Board member