Crystal Lake High School District 155 has a computerized questionnaire through which it is gathering public opinion.
There’s even a place to write “McHenry County Blog” on the questions,
- How do you currently receive information about District 155? (Select all that apply)
- How do you prefer to receive information about the district? (Choose at least three)
Although the high school district gets a big chunk of our tax dollars, I must admit not to have followed what the board does on a regular basis.
So, today I decided to see what information is available.
I found where the agendas are published. They are here.
Looking at one agenda, I found the following impediment of citizens seeking to communicate to the District 155 Board:
Citizens Who Wish to Address the Board
For logistical (i.e. scheduling and location) purposes, the Board of Education requests that any citizen or organization desiring to address this Board submit a request to the Secretary of the Board of Education to place his/her or its name on the Agenda no later than 4:00 p.m. on the Thursday preceding the meeting of the Board of Education at which the citizen or organization wishes to speak.
Such citizen or organization is also requested to give the Secretary of the Board of Education a brief written description of the subject matter to be discussed.
Such a previous notification requirement is hard to believe.
And, requiring “a written description of the subject matter to be discussed” actually astounds me.
One wonders if any other board in Illinois has figured out a better way to keep citizens from speaking their mind.
What I did not find on the web site was the packet of information given board members prior to each meeting.
McHenry County College, which takes a much smaller proportion of our tax bills, provides that regularly now.
Some might like to join me in filling in “board packet” in the blank space under the following two questions,
- What type of information would you like to receive more communication about? (Select all that apply) [on first page]
- I would describe District 155 as transparent in its communication with stakeholders [on third page]
I don’t recall the Open Meetings Act allowing the District to ask for advance notice or a description of what the person wants to talk about in advance.
I suppose it’s just another way to stifle topics and people the District and board would rather not hear from.
They can already stipulate an allotted reasonable amount of time per person.
Example 5 minutes.
It would also make sense if the speaker notifies them in advance if there is to be a lengthy comment or presentation so the District can make arrangements for a camera or something.
As to the requirements above I hope someone goes after them immediately.
The public needs to be told via all newspapers and media what they are up to.
Not for one minute do I believe they are doing this to be efficient or transparent with the residents or other people wishing to speak.
Given that the meetings are on Tuesdays, this is an absolute violation of the Open Meetings Act.
The Board is only required to post the Agenda 48 hours before the meeting, but they want notice of intent to speak on that Agenda more than 96 hours in advance.
CLS was vandalized today.
Graffiti on the new sound trailer door (confirmed) and possibly the school itself and more although that I can’t confirm.
Their requirement to request to speak prior to the meeting seems to violate OMA Binding Opinion 14-012.
http://foia.ilattorneygeneral.net/pdf/opinions/2014/14-012.pdf
Excellent find, Mr. Jobbs.
I look forward to seeing are the results of the survey, complete with the raw data and open-ended replies.
It all becomes a matter of public record, does it not?
As one who regularly consults in business matters, the gold is in the free text responses.
The district won’t release the comments just like they didn’t release the response emails/comments they got from the “open letter” to district community about why they were continuing to fight the bleacher mess up to the Supreme court.