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Colonial representative reports DSBA positions on six pending Title 14 bills
Summary
A Colonial School District board member reported the Delaware School Boards Association(DSBA) positions on six bills amending Title 14 of the Delaware Code, including requirements for remote public comment, training mandates, recording of meetings, residency for board members, remote attendance exceptions, and criminal background checks.
Carlson, a Colonial School District board member, reported to the board on May 6 that the Delaware School Boards Association(DSBA) state committee voted on six bills affecting school boards and that the committee had taken positions on each.
The report matters because the bills would change how school boards operate across Delaware, touching on public access, member training, meeting recordings, residency requirements, remote attendance and background checks.
Carlson read the committeepositions item by item. He said the committee "oppose[d]" a bill that would require school board meetings to provide a means for the public to view and provide comment remotely. He also reported unanimous opposition to a bill that would mandate training for board members, saying the committee believes existing local training is sufficient. The committee opposed a separate bill that would require digital copies of meeting recordings for school district boards, charter boards, the State Board of Education and some public trustees.
Carlson said the DSBA supported a bill that would require candidates and members to reside in the district or designated portion of the district they represent. He said the committee also supported a bill allowing members to attend meetings remotely under certain circumstances related to health and military deployment. Finally, Carlson reported unanimous support for maintaining the existing requirement that elected and appointed school board members complete criminal background checks.
Board members received the report; no formal action by the Colonial School District Board of Education was taken on these items at the meeting. The DSBA committeevotes Carlson described were presented as committee positions rather than as formal board motions.
Board President PQ acknowledged the report and moved the meeting on to other agenda items.
Details noted in the report may inform future board discussion or public comment if any of the bills advance in the General Assembly.
