Delavan-Darien School Board board ponders streaming meetings
Other business
The Delavan-Darien School Board on Monday:
-- Approved hiring an interim administrator for the upcoming school year rather than try to find a replacement for former administrator Wendy Overturf.
The board signed a separation agreement with Overturf in May. An interim administrator would have the background to handle the day-to-day issues, said Carey Bradley, who is temporarily filling the post.
-- Appointed Chad Kort to fill the board seat previously held by Steve Carlson.
Carlson served on the board for almost 16 years and was school board president when he announced his retirement April 9.
-- Approved the 2011-12 contract with the Delavan-Darien Education Association, the district's teachers union. The contract abides by the restrictions put in place by Act 10. Teachers will get an average 1.34 percent pay increase.
The contract for the 2012-13 year hasn't yet been negotiated.
DELAVAN — Openness and accessibility are good, but they're not without their challenges.
On Monday, the Delavan-Darien School Board considered making its meetings—and the information about its meetings—more accessible to the public.
Previously, the board requested more information about the cost of streaming meetings online. District Director of Communications Mike Heine told the board it would cost between $3,100 and $5,000 to buy the equipment for such a venture.
Most of the cost is connected to the wireless sound system, Heine said.
The Delavan City Council now streams its meetings online. However, the council meets in a room where furniture is fixed in place and microphones don't have to be set up each time a meeting is held.
The school board meets in a room used by a variety of groups, meaning furniture might be moved.
Heine, who also is the city's communications commission, said about 45 people watch city council meetings.
School board member Steve Logterman said he supported the idea of streaming meetings, but he expressed concerns about the costs. School board member Chad Kort wanted to know how many other school districts in the state were using such technology.
In 2010, the Elkhorn School District started putting its meetings online. Likewise, Janesville School Board meetings can be seen on youtube.com and on local cable access.
The Delavan-Darien School Board also briefly discussed making its agenda packet available to the public.
School board President Jeffrey Scherer said many of his constituents wanted to have the same memos and information board members had when discussing an issue.
Scherer said he was investigating what was legal to share with the public.
Interim District Administrator Carey Bradley said sometimes the documents in the agenda packet needed more context to making them meaningful. That context usually comes during meetings, she said.
Join us on Facebook
Jul 9, 2012 at 11:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
There are many individuals who for one reason or another would like to attend the school board meetings but can not and I think the district SHOULD make this small investment.
Sounds like someone just doesn't want the hassle of setting equipment up and taking it down but the district needs to show transparency if it wants to restore it's image and the public's confidence and this is one small step in that direction.
Jun 12, 2012 at 10:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
Almost all material in the board packets is considered open records so it can be shared.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: Walworthcountytoday.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy Agreementcall 1-262-728-3424, extension 108
Post Comment
Commenting requires registration.