June 14, 2013
The following statement was released from Board President Susan Heredia regarding the discussion to videotape board meetings:
On behalf of the Natomas Unified School District, I want to correct the record that the issue of videotaping board meetings was a discussion item and not an action item. Our Board of Trustees did not vote on the matter, as originally reported by the Sacramento Bee. The board discussed the cost and feasibility of implementing a video system in the board room and determined that any new investments need to be considered in the context of restoring funding to our classrooms. As is the case with many of our colleague districts up and down the state, new revenue prompts discussion about funding priorities. It is the priority of the Board of Trustees to reinstate funding of our instructional program. This is our focus at this time.
Our meetings are transparent and open to the public. We are not in agreement with diverting resources – both monetary and staff time – from the classroom to implementing a video system in the boardroom at this time. We are, however, exploring a change in board policy to allow members of the public to tape the meetings on their own devices.
Our community has a right to have access to the business of Natomas Unified School District. That is why we are exploring alternative methods for the public to engage if they are not able to attend a board meeting.
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