The ECASD BOE is a publicly elected body that is required to function in compliance with the Wisconsin State Open Meetings Law (OML). This is all part of what is considered "Good Government" and it keeps elected officials accountable to the public for their decisions. The Open Meetings Law addresses everything from requiring meetings to be held in Open Session, prohibiting elected officials from meeting privately or creating "Walking Quorums" and notification of meetings so that the public is informed and can participate in the process.
Please go to this link to see the OML Guide that is very informative about what our expectations as the public can and should be for the process: www.doj.state.wi.us/AWP/OpenMeetings/2005-OML-GUIDE.pdf
There was a recent opinion by the WI State Supreme Court that ruled against the Tomah School Board for their failure to properly notify the public about meetings with Agendas that have adequate information. Please go to this link to read about the decision: http://www.tomahjournal.com/articles/2007/06/14/news/01news.txt
Even if the ECASD is in legal compliance with the OML the amount of information disseminated to the public about agenda items is pathetic. I have been asking that all pertinent information about Agenda items be posted on the web in advance of the meeting so public participation can be meaningful.
You could help in the process of letting the light of day fall on more information by writing BOE members and requesting that more information is posted and available to the public in a more timely manner. How can we participate if we don't have any information?
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3 comments:
I also think that the School Board is pathetic in compliance with oml, and several times this past year have shown evidence of coming in with "votes" already having been cast. And the local newspaper isn't doing anything to push the issue.
Pathetic is too kind. Information in their posted agendas has no information content.
The Leader Telegram pretends to ride the high-horse when it comes to open meeting laws and public disclosure, but they look the other way when it comes to the school board.
A good example of use of the district web site to inform the public can be found at the Steven's Point Area District web site where the board agenda is posted and while not all board member packet information is available, viewers can click on individual agenda items and download a pdf file of the packet contents for that item.
Seems to me to be an effective method.
There may, however, be significant cost and staff time factors involved with this and one would need to explore how much use it gets before undertaking something like it.
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