Seattle School Board Meetings - Should There Be An In-Person Option?

 Several commenters have stated - and I agree - that the Board should have had in-person meetings for the permanent superintendent discussion as well as their regular Board meetings being in-person. 

I did check Governor Inslee's proclamation ( see end of page). 

It's a bit confusing because saying there no longer needs to be an indoor mask requirement seems like it would then generate a statement that local governments can conduct meetings in-person. But, apparently, no; there HAS to be a remote meeting but in-person could be also happen. Local governments can't have only in-person.

The Board sure could have an optional in-person component. They did for a bit and then went back to remote. The JSCEE auditorium certainly could have spaced seating. And, of course, anyone who wants to wear a mask can do so (Director Michelle Sarju even wears a mask for remote meetings as she is sitting at home). 

But it feels like they don't want to have to leave home and drive to JSCEE. But given how they have cut back on discussions at the Board meetings, why not have an in-person option? 

Having an in-person option would mean looking members of the public in the face. Not this Board. 

Of course, this begs the question of whether Board members will EVER have in-person community meetings. But that takes time and effort and well, it just doesn't seem like most Board members want to do that for their regions. 


Thursday, March 3

  • We have received a number of questions about whether the upcoming changes to the face mask requirements will change how local governments conduct meetings subject to the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). In short, no. Proclamation 20-28.14 (extended by Proclamation 20-28.15) remains in effect until specifically modified or the emergency is terminated. All meetings subject to the OPMA are required to be a remote meeting with an optional in-person component. Agencies choosing to hold hybrid meetings must make sure there is sufficient space for everyone that wants to physically attend (including overflow space if necessary) and must comply with any other health directives (including local health orders) in effect.

Monday, February 28

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