Why this matters
Public agencies found after the pandemic that livestreaming board meetings increased public participation among those who might not have otherwise attended the in-person meeting.
After months of parents fighting for increased access, the San Ysidro School District is joining dozens others in the county and livestreaming its board meetings.
San Ysidro parents have urged the district since at least December to allow virtual participation at school board meetings in an effort to boost transparency and family involvement.
Now, their request has been granted: The district began livestreaming in mid-July.
The decision came after inewsource reported San Ysidro was among a third of the 42 school districts in San Diego County — and the only in the South Bay — to not livestream its meetings.
State law does not require agencies to livestream, but the practice has become increasingly common after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down in-person operations and forced business to be conducted remotely.
That included the San Ysidro School District, which continued to meet remotely and livestream its meetings through 2022. Livestreaming became sparse after the district returned to in-person meetings, occurring only when one of its trustees attended remotely. The district told inewsource in June that it was in compliance with state law and makes audio recordings of the meetings available upon request.
Officials did not specify why it could not continue livestreaming its meetings, but Superintendent Gina Potter said at the time they would look into “cost-effective technology systems” for the future.
Those who have requested the livestreaming are applauding the district, saying it’s a win particularly for those with disabilities who may find it difficult to attend in person and newly arrived parents who may feel apprehensive about participating in school business.
Roxane Palestino, a San Ysidro parent, told inewsource that a group of parents and community members known as the South Bay Special Education Community drafted a letter to the district to show leaders how meaningful the access is to the community. She said she hopes it convinces them to not walk back its decision.
The district will provide a livestream link to its board meetings on its website and recordings will be available on its YouTube page. The next meeting is at 5 p.m. on Sept. 5.
Editor’s note: Roxane Palestino is a participant of inewsource’s Documenters program.
Type of Content
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
