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BEDJ - BROADCASTING, TAPING, RECORDING of SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

Members of the public may use their cell phones or other electronic devices to record Board meetings or portions of public Board meetings so long as the person engaged in recording does not change position frequently, or interfere with the view of others in attendance.  

The development,following adoptionguidelines and review of policies thatwill govern the schoolpublic district is oneuse of theother Schoolrecording Board’sdevices, mostsuch importantas functions.those Boardused policiesfor establishtelevision broadcasting at the goals,public direction and structure of the school unit under the authority of state law. In addition to policies required by state and federal laws and regulations, the Board adopts policies to provide direction to the Superintendent and other administrators in the management of the school unit, to guide the education program, and to provide clear expectations for school staff, students and parents.

Board policies are intended to provide the framework for school district operations and the educational system. In general, the operational details as to how policies will be implemented are contained in administrative procedures developed by the administration. However, the Board will adopt administrative procedures concerning its own operations and when the Board decides that an issue is of sufficient legal, educational and community importance to warrant a Board-level procedure.

The Cape Elizabeth School Board considers policy development its most important governance function.

It is the intentmeetings of the Board to develop written policies that will serve as the foundation for the successful and efficient operation of Cape Elizabeth School Board and its schools.

The Board accepts the definition of policy set forth by the National School Boards Association:

School Board policies are statements that set forth the purposes and prescribe in general terms the organization and program of a school system. They create a framework within which the Superintendent and the staff can discharge their assigned duties with positive direction. They tell what is wanted. They may also indicate why and how much. Policies should define clearly the goals and objectives of the school system, allow for the flexibility that is vital in day-to-day operations, reflect the Board's vision, define roles and responsibilities (who is supposed to do what), and include measurable outcomes.

The Board's policies are framed and meant to be interpreted in terms of federal laws and regulations, state statutes and the rules of the Maine Department of Education, State Board of Education, and other regulatory agencies at various levels of government. The Board's policies are also intended to reflect the Board's educational philosophy and instructional objectives and practices and procedures that are supported by research and generally accepted by leaders and authorities in the field of public education.

It is the Board's intent that its policies set goals and provide direction and guidance for administrators, staff, and students and serve as sources of information for parents, community members, and others who are interested in or connected with the schools.

The Board regards policy development and review as an ongoing process. The need for a new policy or revision or deletion of an existing policy may arise from a change in law and/or regulations, modification of the school unit's vision or goals, educational research or trends, the occurrence of a significant incident or a recommendation or request from Board  members, school administrators, staff, parents, students, or other interested persons.

Adoption of new or revised policies and repeal of existing policies is solely the responsibilitysubcommittees of the Board.

Policies

Any willsuch device may be adopted,used amended,by a member of the public so long as it does not:

A. Require the occasional or repealedfrequent onlyrelocation of a microphone or microphones in such a manner as to be disruptive to speakers or other persons present; 

B. Require excessive space in the meeting room so that any participants or observers at the meeting are displaced, excluded or cannot see because of the device;

C. Produce continuous or periodic sounds that interfere with speakers or with the ability of all persons present to hear the proceedings; and/or 

D. Require the use of power cords and microphone cords that would interfere with the free movement of traffic into, out of, and within the meeting room.

The Chair has the authority to request that any person using a cell phone or other recording device comply with the provisions of this policy when, in their judgment, the activity is interfering with the orderly conduct of the meeting and/or the ability of the public to observe the proceedings.  If the problem persists, the Chair may direct that the recording be discontinued and, if necessary, that the recording device be removed from the meeting room.

RECORDING OF REMOTE MEETINGS

When the Board holds a remote meeting of the full Board or otherwise holds a meeting in which remote public participation must be permitted, members of the public must be permitted to record the meeting remotely using the same electronic platform that is used to conduct the meeting remotely provided that 1) the platform allows participants other than the host to record the proceeding remotely, 2) additional costs are not incurred by the affirmativeBoard, voteand 3) the recording of athe majorityproceeding does not interfere with the orderly conduct of membersthe present and voting.meeting.

PoliciesMembers shallof becomethe effectivepublic uponare Boardnot adoptionpermitted to attend or atrecord aany futureexecutive datesession designated byof the BoardBoard, atwhether the timemeeting ofis adoption.

held

Thein Superintendent/designee will be responsible for distributing newperson or revisedremotely.

policies

 to Board members and for making policies accessible to school personnel, students, and the public.

20-A1 M.R.S.A. § 1001 (A)403-B

Cross Reference:

ADOPTED:

  • OctoberNovember 9,12, 1984

Revised:

  • October 11, 1994
  • March 8, 2005
  • April 9, 2013
  • February 8, 20222024

 

 

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