by justin strawser
CATAWISSA RR - Some residents of the Southern Columbia Area School District believe the school board is limiting their free speech by passing new guidelines for record keeping at meetings.
"By passing this, you're going to censor the taxpayers," Florey Guarno, of Locust Township, said at Monday night's meeting.
The board passed the new policy concerning the meeting minutes to include the following: date, time and place of meeting; board members present; substance of all official actions, including votes taken; names of citizens who appeared and subject of their commentary; reference to any notice of an executive session and the reasons given therefore; and any other information required by law. Eliminated would be some of the "commentary" expressed during the meeting.
The shortened minutes will require less time for board secretary Tresa Britch to transcribe tapes, allowing her to focus on her primary job as district secretary that has been neglected due to the extensive minutes, said President Mike Yeager.
"I'm getting a little burnt out," she told the board at the meeting.
She said the board and the public want different things in the minutes, and it's been either "all or nothing" lately.
As part of the new policy, Britch would only be required to list the concerned citizen and the subject of their question, but not the content discussed. That's what concerns Guarno and a few other residents who spoke up Monday.
"If we don't agree, it won't be in there why we don't agree," said Guarno.
Frank Berger, Ralpho Township, asked board members why they would approve any process that would limit the access a taxpayer has to information.
"We've come a long way (with record keeping)," he said. "To take a step backwards is the wrong way to go. If anything, how do we enhance it?"
Vice President Charlie Porter complimented Britch's record keeping and said he didn't want to see it change.
"It's as important to know why we vote than the actual vote. It puts things in context," he said. "I strongly feel in the negative about this motion."
Britch noted she would not translate the bare minimum, but with the new policy, she wouldn't feel pressured to have all commentary.
Director Dave Stellfox wasn't sure himself whether it made a lot of sense to pass the motion, but he understood the necessity of managing Britch's time.
He also questioned how many residents, other than the ones who attend the meeting on a regular basis, read the minutes.
Director Jennifer Oiler agreed, saying, "If you truly care about an issue, you're going to come to a meeting."
At least five residents in attendance spoke out against this, explaining they know plenty of people who catch up on meetings when they cannot attend by reading the minutes.
"If it wasn't for that, they wouldn't know what's going on," said Barbara Splitt, Cleveland Township.
Stellfox suggested they pass the motion, and if it doesn't go well, the board can address the situation again.
Directors Tim Vought and Oiler made and seconded the motion to change the policy. It passed 5-2 with Directors Porter and Eric Stahley voting against it. Directors Rick Steele and John Yocum were absent.