New attempts at public communication with the Madison school board?

As reported today in the Capital Times, something to watch for next semester if folks want to continue to monitor the media environment in Madison dealing with public school issues:

School Board eyes ways to engage public
More televised meetings one option
By Cristina Daglas
July 19, 2005
The Madison School Board is looking for ways to be more accessible to the Madison community.

At a workshop Monday, the board discussed televising more meetings, addressing meetings of parent organizations and public comment opportunities.

'More people need to have access to this board than they do now,' member Johnny Winston Jr. said.

The board, which already broadcasts one meeting a month, is looking into also broadcasting some of the committee meetings that take place during the month.

To broadcast the meetings and move them to the McDaniels auditorium in the Doyle Administration Building would cost approximately $40,000, not including personnel. However, the audio system is being replaced anyway, accounting for about $22,000 of the $40,000.

Personnel costs could range from $100 to $150 per hour. Work-study agreements with the University of Wisconsin are being explored.