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Meeting Date:
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7/29/2021 - 5:30 PM
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Category:
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Reports and Communications from the Board Clerk/Chief Officer, Office of Board Governance
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Type:
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Info
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Subject:
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2. Informational Update on Public Access and Participation at Meetings of the Board and its Committees
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Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
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Goal 3 Effective and Efficient Operations
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Attachments
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Attachment on Public Access and Participation at Meetings of the Board
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File Attachment:
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Background:
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The Board has long recognized the value of broad community involvement with the program and operations of the Milwaukee Public Schools and has consistently adhered to the requirements of Statute 19.81(2), which states that all meetings of governmental bodies be publicly held in places reasonably accessible to members of the public and shall be open to all citizens at all times unless otherwise expressly provided by law. While the law only requires the Board to take public testimony at the Statutory budget hearing, the Board has maintained a decades-long practice of receiving public comment at its Committee meetings and certain Regular and Special meetings.
The nature of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Board to re-examine how it would provide access to its meetings and opportunities for public testimony. From the onset of the pandemic, the Board directed that steps be taken to ensure the greatest level of public access and engagement possible. The Board maintained its standard practice of broadcasting its meeting on radio station WYMS 88.9, Spectrum Channel 13, and the Board’s livestream. In addition, the Board began broadcasting its meetings over YouTube, which has the advantage of allowing viewers to watch the meeting at any time. The contingencies of the pandemic meant that meetings needed to be held virtually, so the Board also began using Zoom as its digital meeting platform. Use of Zoom provided a means by which the public could join the meeting virtually and give live testimony.
In the one -year period before the COVID-19 emergency orders went into effect, the number of people who accessed meetings in-person was 3,245, while in the year following the orders, the number of people who accessed the meeting via YouTube went up to 76,072 - an increase in of 72,827. The number of people who provided testimony in-person in the year preceding the emergency orders was 1,312, while the number of speakers who provided testimony after emergency orders were issued was 581 - a decrease of 731 speakers.
As MPS prepares for our students to return to in-person learning, and for staff to return to working on-site, it may be prudent for the Board to determine how it will provide public access to, and opportunities for public engagement during, meetings of the Board and its committees going forward.
The attached document provides information for future decision making. Board members will continue to participate in-person at Central Office or remotely. Members of the public will have the option of providing written testimony or registering to participate remotely. The Donald J. O'Connell Memorial Auditorium will remain closed to the public.
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Fiscal Impact Statement:
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This item has no fiscal impact
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Implementation and Assessment Plan
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The Office of Board Governance, in collaboration with the Administration, will advise the Board of any change in guidance from the Centers for Disease Control or from state or local government that may affect future decision making.
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Recommendation:
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Jill Kawala-(COSM) - Assistant Board Clerk
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Signed By:
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Jacqueline M. Mann, Ph.D. - Board Clerk/Chief Officer
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