Public school trustees scrap community meetings without 'giving it a chance'

By Richard Cuthbertson, Calgary Herald

Calgary public school governors have quietly scrapped a pledge to hold scheduled get-togethers with the community before board meetings after trustees voted Tuesday to end the short-lived idea after meeting in secret.

The move could reignite the debate about newly implemented meeting procedures that advocates say help the board focus on its collective work, but critics worry might stifle outside input.

The half-hour “pre-meetings” with community members were added to recently approved procedure changes after concerns were raised the public was going to be denied a chance to ask questions at board meetings.

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