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Bruce,

Do you know if the meetings will be live and then will the air at later times too?

Will catch up reading the CB in between summer travels.

Thank you.

BA,
They will be live and then rebroadcast, at least that was what I was told. Do you think that will cut down on attendance? Live will be nice, but I have so many distractions at home, not sure it will be good for me!

Deb,

Good point about attendance. No I don't think so. The seemingly uncaring attitude of many of the powers that be as to what parents want has already taken care in the attendance factor.

I think that people who still want to speak will go. You have seen for yourself how little involvement there has been lately; now summer is another factor as many on vacations and taking a break.

Parents like yourself are always and ever involved; many just feel that attending the meeting is a waste of their time as we have discussed.

I think it will help keep people who still care informed.

Have a great summer.

Last night, only 2 speakers signed up. However, only 1 spoke. The other was a no show. You are right, interest is way down. Likewise, at the county budget hearings, there were a lot less supports out than usual.

I think a lot of this down-turn in interest has to do with two factors:

1. It's summer. People are on vacation and aren't thinking about school issues.

2. There's no hot-button issue before the board right now. When they were debating the HP plan, the Indian mascot deal, etc., you saw big crowds. Most folks don't come to school board meetings until there is a controversy.

Bruce, Joe, BA
How true that the vast majority (99.9%) don't care unless it's their child involved. I do try to look at the bigger picture, although my child's interest are at the top of the list. I can't tell you how many teachers don't even know or understand what goes on at BOE meetings. It is a shame that hot topics are the only time (and by then too late many times)that people pay attention to the education issues in the county. Joe and I agree/disagree many times, but I do admire the fact that he is interested in educating the children of this county.

Bruce,

There is one other reason why citizens aren't going to school board meetings. People go and speak with no reaction and no response from the members. They will sit and stare mindlessly at you, and Terry Grier will just play with his computer, never looking at anyone while they are speaking. Jill Wilson tosses and plays with her hair. With this reception, most inteliigent people have decided to find more meaningful things to do with their time. School board matters are important, but after awhile people learn that no one is listening or cares what you are saying, and certainly nothing will change. So, why bother?

Franky, I have given up on going to any meetings.
It is all a show! The school board doesn't care what the public thinks. All the decisions have been made through the back door!

Bruce,

Will anybody be doing a live, commentable blog at the meeting so you can get feedback from the viewing public and present it as a final speaker?

jwg,

Great idea...but, what good would it do? Bruce could stand in front of the BOE as a final speaker, and say that he has 80 comments on a particular topic. The BOE would just give him their usual glazed-over, blank stare and his words would fall on deaf ears.

Not to attack you, because in any other school district, that would be a perfect idea, BUT in THIS district, the public speaking portion of school board meetings are for the board members to nap, shop on ebay and play footsies under the table.

I'm actually intrigued by the idea of doing a live, real-time blogcast (for lack of a better term) from an upcoming school board meeting.

I don't think I would be able to relay questions to the school board. That's not my role - I'm there to be an observer, not a participant. Besides, the board doesn't answer questions in public comment, for better for for worse.

But it might be cool to give you an ongoing description of what's happening. Any suggestions?

I have a suggestion.

Stay AFTER the board meetings and see if you can't get a quote or two from our prestigious board members concerning anything that WAS said during the public speaking portion of the agenda.

I will go to my grave (soon if Hogghead gets his way) wondering what the public comments are for??

How enlightening it would be to actually hear responses from ANY board member.

If you could do THAT Bruce, or even follow up with board members in the next few days AFTER a board meeting, you could quite possibly be granted Knighthood.