Cobleskill-Richmondville may revamp its school board meetings to become more structured.
Board members discussed the potential changes Monday night, which also happened to be the first meeting at which SCHOPEG, the local access station, taped the meeting as a trial run.
With few exceptions, C-R board meetings for years have been in the Golding School library. At the same time, each meeting’s public comment periods have recently been lasting longer than usual.
Board members sought to address both issues Monday night.
C-R had originally planned to move meetings to other buildings, such as Radez and the high school, earlier this school year.
Noting there are pros and cons to moving, board member Rose Surman said more people may come if the meeting had different sites.
Also, moving would allow board members to see the different schools, Ms. Surman said.
Board President Bruce Tryon said he was in favor of moving “as long as the public knows.”
But even with published meeting notices and postings on the school website, it might be difficult for the public to keep track of where the meetings are, some said.
“I don’t think there’s anything to be gained by moving,” board member Liz Montario said.
Fellow board member Jeff Foote said he was originally in favor of moving. But if board members are to tour buildings twice a year, as planned, he’s satisfied with staying at Golding.
Mr. Tryon said the issue needs further discussion. The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 12, at 7pm at the Golding library.
As for public comment, Ms. Montario said the board should enforce its five-minute limit for speakers.
“We can have a time limit, but we don’t want to take away from the public,” Mr. Tryon added.
Board members also noted that speakers could address the board from one spot rather than their seats. SCHOPEG would then be better able to pick up the sound.
The board will reconsider the public comment at a later meeting.