"New School Board" moves to offer greater public access | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: This article originally appeared in the Beaufort Observer.

    This school board action, apparently initiated by Mrs. Winstead, is a good move. We commend her for it. It is not likely to result in any earthshaking differences, but it does send a better message to the public that she is trying to insure that the board operates such that the public has a better chance of being able to observe more of what really goes on.

    We would, however, suggest an even better idea--one most good boards follow--and that is to abolish standing committees. Or, operate as does the Washington City Council. They meet in a Committee of the Whole to get information and hash out ideas and questions in advance of their regular monthly meeting. Then the issues are brought before an "action meeting" and typically dispatched in short order with much less need for discussion. The important thing is that each member participates equally in all matters before the council.

    The new method is an improvement in terms of better communicating with the public, but it still splits the role and function of each board member. A board member who was not a member of the committee that is reporting still misses the full discussion and "give and take" that took place in the committee they do not serve on.

    Mr. Sprenkle is correct when he points out that the voters do not elect school board members to sit on one committee or the other. They elect every board member to sit on all matters that come before the board. Taking the next step of eliminating the standing committees would be an even more positive move. And eating supper before the meeting or at the end would improve things too.

    Anyway, here's how it worked in its first try: