Audio taping meetings again denied by School Board!

The North Royalton Post has a very good article regarding the Sept. 12, 2011 North Royalton School Board meeting discussion on audio taping at all work sessions and special meetings.  The need for audio taping is not only to provide openness to our taxpayers', it is about information on the decision process for the education provided and moneys used in the district.  This is where the administration explains everything that will be found on the monthly board meeting agenda and why it needs approval.  This is where each board member contributes to the decision process.  They already audio tape board meetings!  How hard could it be to audio the other meetings?
http://pns.live.mediaspanonline.com/royalton/localnews/School-Board-NR-9-17--panfil-
I would like to add that the meeting room at the Sept. 8th work session was the size of a walk-in closet.  I was lucky they could fit me into this tiny room along with the other board members and administrative staff.  How could any resident or media be able to go to this public meeting?
Below is the letter I read at the board meeting.

Sept. 12, 2011

Dear North Royalton and Broadview Hts. Residents::

We are living in an era of technology that allows us to have a visual image as well as audio to reach out to most everyone in the world from any location. But in North Royalton several of our school board members are refusing to allow audio taping of work sessions and special meetings to be included on their agenda.

I had the opportunity to attend the Sept. 8, 2011 work session at the North Royalton Board Office. During the meeting, Board Member Dan Langshaw made a recommendation that audio taping be included on the agenda for a vote. His request was flatly denied.

This is not the first time someone has made this request. Throughout my four years on the board I made several attempts to get approval for all board meetings, work sessions and special meetings to be recorded for the taxpayers viewing.

In November of 2009 I compiled a list of 10 policies, one of which was audio taping of all board meetings. Even though these policies were presented to the administrators and all board members they were omitted from the minutes of that meeting. Former board member Bob Grace also presented this issue to the board several times but his requests were ignored.

The minutes of school board meetings should be accurate. The board should not be allowed to omit or delete any part of the topics of discussion. Tailor-made minutes is a prime example why school board meetings should be recorded on audio. Isn't this what transparency and inclusion is all about?

As a taxpayer I believe that I deserve the right to be informed. We all deserve that right. Unfortunately, many of us cannot attend the meetings so we are kept unaware. And, "unaware" is how some of the current school board members want us to remain. Speak out for modern technology which will allow our parents and residents to participate in the decision processes of our school board. Demand your rights as a taxpayer!

Sincerely,

Barbara Ann Zindroski