Less Openness In Elmhurst D-205?

ELMHURST, IL – The Elmhurst school board plans to record fewer of its meetings on video, a move that has drawn criticism from a local group.

At Tuesday's school board meeting, Marsha Baker of the League of Women Voters of Elmhurst said the board apparently wanted to "insulate" itself from residents.

She pointed out that the board is set to meet less often – once a month, rather than twice.

However, it is scheduling three meetings known as the "committee of the whole," where members discuss issues but take no action. With the committee of the whole, the number of regular board meetings each year will drop to 15, from up to 22 in previous years.

Other districts, including those in Hinsdale and La Grange, hold two meetings a month.

"The reduction of the number of board meetings and the reorganization of topics for committee meetings is clearly significant as it impacts the direction of District 205 policy," Baker said.

She noted the board never discussed the change.

In June, board President Kara Caforio announced the board would no longer post videos on YouTube of its finance and policy committee meetings. The move, she said, would reduce the number of staff needed at those sessions.

Each committee meets four times a year. Often, spirited debates take place in the committees, with most of the board attending.

Baker said the public was told the reason to stop recordings was to cut costs. From a public records request, she said, the League of Women Voters learned that recordings cost about $50 a meeting.

The league estimated the board would save $400 by ending the recordings.

"While the league is a firm believer in cost savings, we have to question with over $46 million in its coffers, why is the board using such a small savings to limit such a large means by which district citizens stay informed?" Baker said. "The lack of concern for parents, students and community members to save $400 does not seem to be a good decision."

She also said, "The reduction in meetings and recordings appears to be an effort on the part of the board to insulate itself from the community it serves."

She urged the board to review in open session its decisions on meetings and recordings.

Under its policy, the board does not respond to public comments.

When Caforio made the announcement in June, no member questioned it.