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Meeting Date:
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4/21/2022 - 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 and Possible Action 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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1. April 2022 Communication Update
2. April 2022 Presentation on Board Meeting Participation
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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 Wisconsin Statutes, §19.81(2), which states that all meetings of governmental bodies shall 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 requires the Board to take public testimony only at its statutory budget hearing, the Board has maintained a decades-long practice of receiving public comment at its committee meetings and certain of its 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 cable 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 meetings virtually and give live testimony.
The attachment to this item includes the number of broadcast views and the number of speakers who registered to provide comments during meetings.
Along with the data, a presentation will be given that includes additional information for the Board as it considers how public access and opportunities for public engagement will be provided in the near future.
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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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