A consensus of the School Committee has agreed to resume meeting in person.
However, there won’t be a meeting in Bedford for at least a month.
The committee’s next regular session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12 at METCO headquarters in Roxbury.
When that was announced at Tuesday’s virtual meeting, committee member Dan Brosgol said he found planning an in-person event in Boston while continuing to convene on Zoom in Bedford “dissonant.”
“I’m feeling like we want to meet in person,” replied committee Chair Sarah Scoville. She said she already has started talks with technology staff from Bedford High School and Bedford TV about sustaining a hybrid format with live streaming.
Future meetings will be in-person “if we can figure out all the logistics,” she said.
Superintendent of Schools Philip Conrad said that he envisions continuing the Zoom platform for the public comment segment and for guests who are unable to attend.
Conrad also noted that he is exploring a School Committee meeting for April 26 at Hanscom Air Force Base, which means the resumption of in-person sessions in the BHS large-group instruction room would be on May 10.
The Select Board Monday talked about returning to actual meetings, but did not vote or set a timetable. Other elected and appointed boards follow the Select Board’s lead.
Committee member Ann Guay commented that the hybrid format would be beneficial to continue indefinitely. She noted the larger attendance at virtual meetings.
“I’m sure the first couple of meetings are going to be a little bit clunky but I’m willing to do that to be in person,” Scoville said.
The state open-meeting law includes a remote-participation provision for board members, but it spells out specific reasons for absences and requires an in-person quorum.
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
Loading ...
