CEC members told state law requires a separate public website; members agree to have staff set up a free site

Maribel, identified in the meeting as the CEC liaison/specialist, told members that state open-meetings law requires public bodies that hold meetings by videoconference to maintain a separate, publicly accessible website. She said the CEC has two basic options: create a simple page the council manages itself or hire a web designer to host and update materials.

Maribel said the requirement stems from state law and her role is to interpret that requirement and help the council comply. "It's the state law," Maribel said during the discussion, adding that the liaison role would help the council understand how to meet the standard.

Members discussed practicality and cost: several recommended a free Google Site or a simple WordPress page, and noted that using a free site would eliminate immediate budget impact and place ongoing maintenance on the council's administrative assistant or a designated volunteer. One member said the district's DOE web accounts could secure a domain link, and the group agreed to ask Egypt (the staff member referenced earlier) about capacity to set up the site.

Outcome: Members agreed to proceed with a low-cost approach. The council directed staff to pursue a free site option as the default and to report back if a paid vendor becomes necessary. Maribel advised the council to keep records and to link the new site to the district page so the public can find CEC materials easily.

Ending: The chair said staff will reach out to Egypt to confirm capacity and to publish a simple site; if the council decides to pursue a vendor instead, members said they would consider moving funds into an admin line and revisit the topic at the next meeting.