PSD Board of Education Goes Paperless in November

Not only will it save trees, the PSD Board of Education’s move to web-based electronic packets will also make information more accessible for the staff and public.

Gone are the days of copying and delivering 120  thick “insight” packets twice a month to board members, administrators, staff, and citizens who request information.  Staff, media and community members interested in viewing agendas, supporting documents, minutes, and attachments need only access the board’s website, at www.psdschools.org under the front page “Board of Education” link, then click on Agendas and Minutes.  Click here  for the shortcut--once on the Board meeting page, click on "search meetings."

Board meeting agendas and “drill down” documents will be live the Friday before each meeting, and the links will be live for the first time on Friday, November 7, 2008. 

The benefits are many—ease of access, more transparency in government, the ability to update meeting information immediately, and individuals can access all supporting, in-depth information prior to board meetings.

“Beyond the environmental and expense benefits, which are substantial, are transparency and information sharing advantages,” says Larry Neal, PSD Board of Education President.  “There is an enormous amount of information available for the board members.  The better we are at assimilating the information the better our decisions will be, and this will significantly improve our assimilation capabilities.”

PSD tested the system in October while continuing to print and distribute packets.  The online system will be used exclusively beginning in November, according to Board of Education administrative assistant Tessa Daggett, who coordinated the transition.

Board members are using laptop computers to view documents online prior to and during meetings.  Persons attending meetings can bring their laptops and take advantage of the wireless internet connection in the meeting room to view the documents online.

A printed version of the meeting materials will continue to be available in the Superintendent’s Office, and agendas will still be posted in the lobby of the Johannsen Support Services Center (JSSC).  Persons requesting a printed copy can call Suzie Struve at 490-3607 or email sstruve@psdschools.org.  Please request printed copies no later than 12 noon the Monday before board meetings. 

The public is invited to attend PSD Board of Education meetings (held the second Tuesday), and work sessions (held the fourth Tuesdays) of the month, starting at 6:30 p.m., in the JSSC Conference Center, 2407 LaPorte Avenue.  Board meetings are also televised live on PSD Channel 10, the district’s educational, cable access television station.