I know the perfect way to celebrate Sunshine Week 2011. How about opening the Joint Steering Committee Meetings to the public? For those of you who are not familiar with the Joint Steering Committee, two members of the Commission (usually the president and the vice-president) meet with two members of the School Board (usually the president and the vice-president.) This year, President Miller and Commissioner Kluck wanted to hold these meetings with the public present, and three Commissioners didn't care either way. The School Board, with their usual issues about transparency, have encouraged a second year of private sessions with the Commission. Last year, a resident was turned away.
Note: Dan Miller did not attend as Vice-President last year and will not attend as President of the Commission this year. Thanks, Dan!!!!
Here is a little video about our rights.
For more information about Sunshine Week, go to
sunshineweek.org
Update 02.04.11 On page 10 of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development publication, "Open Meetings The Sunshine Act,"
In that same document, under "Recording Devices," it clearly states on page 11 that the Sunshine Act allows persons attending public meetings to record the proceedings with recording devices including videotaping equipment. Persons who attend and verbally participate in public meetings must expect to have their statements recorded. (Harman v. Wetzel, 766 F.Supp. 271, E.D. Pa.,1991) Ms. Posti, this should be good news to you, since you don't have to remind the residents that they are being audio recorded even though the meetings are also televised.
So when is the next Joint Steering Committee meeting? There are a couple of us who would like to attend.
The President of the Commission has no power to open the meetings to the public because Dave, Raja, and Joe voted against open meetings.
ReplyDeleteRaja and Joe held secret meetings last year and Dave is a member of Build Our Schools Now. The statement that three members didn't care either way just doesn't ring true; it is simply a statement that will not embarrass other commissioners.
School Board Disease has infected three members of the Commission.
John Ewing
Not all school districts want to shut the public out.
ReplyDeleteChartiers Valley, for example, has found that communicating with residents is productive. In fact, the school board has done away with its usual monthly workshop sessions and some accompanying standard committees in favor of a more relaxed setting where directors and residents sit together and talk about issues.
In other words, there are roll calls, no votes and no nameplates; seating is arranged so that both residents and school board members are at equal eye level. The result is that true dialogue is exchanged among meeting participants.
The finance, building & grounds and personnel committees have been left intact because of their specific natures, but the other committees have been revamped, recombined and renamed. For example, the educational services committee covers curriculum, instructional programs, academic iniatiatives and special ed; the community relations/intergovernmental affairs committee handles communications, relationships with other municipalities and developing district positions about state and federal policies, initiatives and programs; the educational foundation committee concentrates on creating on doing just that; the support services committee includes campus safety, transportation and before/after school child care; and the wellness committee deals with health issues, anti-bullying and athletics.
"The idea is to foster conversation around student achievement and our goals," said Superintendent Dr. Brian White, the dynamic young superintendent who joined the district last summer.
Both Dr. White and Board President Beth McIntyre said the idea for the new and open committees originated with last fall's strategic planning process that attracted significant resident input.
"People really felt they were talking to us," Mrs. McIntyre said.
And this school district is listening.
Carole Brown
Ask the SB and their solicitor to produce documented evidence showing that the District officially and legally created by Resolution authorization to form and participate in a Joint Steering Committee comprised of SB and municipal Commissioners. And, the alleged purpose of this Committee would not seem to meet the definition of an ad-hoc Committee.
ReplyDeleteAbsent such records, the Committee would not be legally constituted, would it ? Just a process-check thought.
Bill Lewis
For more information about Dr. White, here is the link to Carole Brown's article. Dr. Brian White
ReplyDeleteElaine
Governor Corbett has directed him (Education Secretary Zogby) to place $364.3 million of current year (10-11) appropriations into budgetary reserve. The three budget line items being reduced are Community and Economic Development ($25,771,000); Basic Education Subsidy ($337,816,000); and Environmental Protection ($669,000).
ReplyDeleteThe reduction in the state Basic Education Funding appropriation will be offset by federal Education Jobs Fund monies that the Administration asks the General Assembly to appropriate before the end of the fiscal year. With this action, no school district would receive less funding than was originally included in the enacted budget signed by Governor Rendell on July 6, 2010, including the restoration of $50 million in Basic Subsidy funding that was placed into budgetary reserve in August 2010. It will make the current year’s funding for school districts dependent on approximately $1 billion of federal funds that are unlikely to be available in future years.
These being the facts, how did Jan Klein construct a five year Budget Forecast with level State funding?
John Ewing
It was announced at the 2.8.11 Commission meeting that the Commission will not participate in any Joint Steering Committee meetings unless they are open to the public. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteElaine