Blaine school board meetings may no longer have a video option as governor Jay Inslee lifted the emergency proclamation requiring remote access be required to the public. It has yet to be decided if the next regular meeting, Monday, June 20, will be available virtually.
Superintendent Christopher Granger announced in a regular meeting May 25 that the next board meeting would be held in person only and not have a virtual option due to the governor rescinding provisions in Proclamation 20-28 on June 1.
“It’s been the desire of the board since the pandemic started that once we could return to normal, just like we are in the school building, that we would return to normal operation,” Granger said.
Board member Erika Creydt proposed the board discuss it further as she and board member Don Leu weren’t on the board before the pandemic. Creydt also said she has heard from many community members who find tuning into the meetings remotely more convenient and would likely not attend in person.
“I personally think that’s a really important feature and part of the integrity of the idea behind the public disclosure is to be able to make these meetings accessible for people,” Creydt said.
There were 27 people tuned into the meeting as the board discussed the topic, and all seats were filled in the meeting room. Granger said the board has alternate facilities available when attendance is expected to be high.
Board president Dougal Thomas said the board should invest more money into the video production, if it decides to keep the virtual option. Thomas said currently the production put a burden on staff and over extended the job requirements of staff members. Creydt agreed hiring a professional company would be the best option for the future.
“Let’s table it for now and let’s talk about it,” Thomas said. “Maybe we put it on the June agenda and maybe we do it again next month.”
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