By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

In an effort to encourage more public and staff participation at Hays USD 489 Board of Education work sessions, the board decided to rotate each work session to different schools in Hays.

At Monday’s work session, the board initially had planned to discuss televising the work sessions, as is currently done with regular school board meetings.

After discussion on the pros and cons of that idea, the board instead reached a consensus to hold work sessions at each district school in hopes of attracting more of the public and staff to work sessions without the fear of a live televised feed.

While the public school board work sessions are typically not well attended, board member Josh Waddell pointed out there is a lot of “good conversations” and discussion the public does not get the chance to hear .

“I would just like to see participation increase because, if participation increases, I think that outweighs possible diminished communication amongst us and our discussions,” Waddell said.

Board Vice President Marty Patterson said he has heard from many people in the community who feel intimidated by the live televised board meetings.

“I think we need to open (the work sessions) up, keep cameras off, and people will come and visit us and tell us their problems,” he said.

Board member Sarah Rankin agreed.

“I think (the live TV feed) is a concern, and I would like for people to feel comfortable to come speak to us in this setting,” she said. “Let’s do try to publicize that this is the time for people to come sit with us at this table and discuss things with us.”

Board President James Leiker suggested the board try out the rotation of work sessions at school buildings for two months and publicize the work sessions more frequently.

“If there is no participation, then we will go back to (discussion) of televising the work sessions,” he said.