Public still can't participate in meetings with Sumter School District board

As COVID-19 continues, officials discuss alternatives, when to continue comments

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On April 6 at its first meeting during the pandemic, Sumter School District's Board of Trustees voted to temporarily suspend public participation from its monthly board meetings.

Six months later - still in the midst of COVID-19, with virtual meetings where the public isn't allowed to attend - and that suspension of public comments is still in place.

When is the right time to allow the public back into the meetings, at least for a brief public participation period. Should the district consider temporary alternatives, such as submitting comments electronically?

The district's attorney, the leader of the S.C. Press Association and Sumter's school board chairman spoke on the topic this week.

Since 2011 when the consolidated district board began holding trustees meetings, it has never allowed public comments submitted electronically - via email - to be part of board meetings, instead requiring in-person attendance and registration before the actual meeting to address the board on a matter. It's standard practice that public participation comments are included as part of the official minutes from board meetings.

With the elimination of public attendance at meetings in April in compliance with state health orders at the time also came the halting of public participation by a unanimous vote of the local school board.

Board Chairman the Rev. Ralph Canty said earlier this week that, to date, the trustees have not considered expanding the scope of public participation to allow for other methods, such as email or online submission. According to a state School Boards Association representative, any decision on the matter would be a local decision.

Given the fact that Sumterites are still getting infected and dying from COVID-19, though at a much lower rate than over the summer, Canty added he's not sure if in-person participation with the board will occur anytime in the near future. He noted the public can still email or write a letter to their respective board member on matters. That doesn't necessarily mean it will be brought up at a meeting.

Canty's tenure on the board is ending in a few weeks. Because he's not running for re-election to the Area 6 seat on Nov. 3, he said he would defer discussion of any potential alternatives for public comment to the next board chairperson.

"That may be an item that the board may want to consider in the future," Canty said. "I would hate at this point in my tenure to make that decision, to make that call, because I probably will not be at another regular monthly board meeting."

It's expected the new board chairperson will be chosen by the full board at its next regular meeting on Nov. 9.

6 MONTHS LATER AND STILL A PANDEMIC

When the board suspended public participation at its first virtual meeting on April 6, most expected the state and U.S. to come out of the pandemic over the summer. Districts across the state and country suspended public participation in the spring.

Instead, the state and Sumter saw its biggest spike in cases, hospitalizations and deaths over the summer. At the beginning of the pandemic, Sumter was among the counties with the highest rate of infection in the state. Now, the 15th most populous county in South Carolina is has the 22nd highest rate of infection, as of Friday's data from the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Connie Jackson, the district's attorney with Halligan Mahoney & Williams P.A. of Columbia, emphasized there are continued COVID-19 concerns across districts and added she thinks many districts likely still have public participation suspended at their board meetings.

Health officials are worried about a potential next surge in the coronavirus, with DHEC data showing the moving seven-day average of new daily cases has been rising in October statewide. Sumter is mirroring that trend.

Jackson said districts are strapped right now with so many priorities.

"The hybrids, synchronous, asynchronous, there is so much with regard to the learning piece," Jackson said. "There is so much going on with [personal protective equipment] and people testing positive and trying to ensure there is that balance and that teachers and students feel safe in the school environment. That's going to be their top priority right now.

"When things are running more smoothly, then, sure, I believe that it will be an appropriate time to bring back up public participation and different ways the public can participate."

WHAT ARE OTHERS DOING?

Some districts are currently allowing for temporary alternatives for public comment.

According to Greenville School District's website, the district is allowing community members to submit comments electronically from a link on the board's website. It's also allowing a structured process for the public to appear in person before the board that includes following COVID-19 safety protocols, wearing masks and social distancing.

After the speaker completes the remarks, he or she must leave the building, the website states.

Greenville is the largest school district in the state, and Jackson said some issues can just come down to manpower and internet issues in some areas.

There is also a comfort level aspect for districts and boards to consider, she said, and there is no one rule of thumb that will fit everybody.

On the other hand, Bill Rogers, executive director of the South Carolina Press Association, said public access to a school board is more important now than ever because of the coronavirus and its extenuating circumstances.

"Boards should offer a way for the public to make comments," Rogers said. "It's not that hard to do this. I think alternative methods are very important at this time."