The McComb School District is eyeing a policy to establish guidelines for video and audio recording of school board meetings.
School board attorney C. Ashley Atkinson sought a state attorney general’s opinion on whether or not recording meetings should be permitted.
The issue was raised following the video recording of the July 17 school board meeting by audience member Ronnie Brock. Neither the board nor the administration made an attempt to stop the recording at that meeting, and Brock gave no public reason for making the recording.
In an answer to Atkinson’s question, Special Assistant Attorney General Ellen O’Neal cited a 2005 opinion sought by the Lowndes County School District.
In that opinion, the AG’s office said the school district cannot ban recording devices from board meetings because that would violate the state open meetings law. However, the board may set reasonable rules and policies for recording.
The attorney general’s sample policy states that photographs, broadcasts and recordings of meetings may be made “only when all parties involved have been informed that cameras, broadcasting and/or recording devices are being used.” Those who want to record meetings also must notify the board of their intent to do so prior to the start of the meeting.
In addition, the sample policy calls for persons who are recording to do so “with a minimum of disruption to those present at the meeting,” and the view between the board members and audience must not be obstructed. It also states that interviews cannot be conducted during the meeting and no commentary can be given that would distract the board or the audience.
The board would have the right to halt any recording that interrupts or disturbs the meeting.
In addition, the sample policy states that students may not be photographed without the consent of their parents.
That last part of the policy troubled Atkinson, who noted that students have their photos taken routinely on campuses and during board meetings for special recognition by the school’s public relations office throughout the year.
Monique Gilmore, director of school and community relations for the district, said parents receive a consent form for photos in student registration packets.
Gilmore said her office has a list of those students whose parents don’t give consent.
The school board meets again at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
