Is the Elk Grove Unified School District suppressing, minimizing citizens concerns by limiting screen time?
For years, speakers have aired concerns during public comments on non-agenda items at Elk Grove Unified School District's Trustees meeting. The comments directed at the district's practices have come from across the political spectrum.
While the comments critiquing the district have varied, one constant has remained - online meeting viewers have limited visibility of speakers. The most recent example was during the April 16 trustees meetings.
As seen in the video, Ms. Kathy Wilson was visible for only 25 seconds during her three minutes of allotted time. During the remainder of her two minutes and 42 seconds, the meeting's camera operator showed a generic shot of the entire board of trustees.
Included in the video after Wilson's comments, viewers will see that the camera operator captured up-close video images of district staff and trustees. Keeping trustees and staff members on screen demonstrates that the video operator can hold the camera on speakers if they choose.
Given that the district has long practiced concealing public comment speakers, this is a conscious choice to limit their visibility. By restricting the speakers' visibility during real-time and recorded video, regardless of where they are on the political spectrum, the district trustees are limiting their on-screen presence to suppress and minimize their remarks.
It is time for the EGUSD Board of Trustees to instruct their camera operator to keep public speakers visible throughout their commentary. Anything less is a conscious effort to suppress and minimize taxpayers' comments.
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