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Board to remove obsolete cable‑TV policy, will continue livestreaming of meetings
Summary
Board members recommended removing a policy tied to cable channel 17 after staff presented usage data and noted the district live‑streams meetings; members said they may revisit broadcast options only if cost and demand justify it.
The Prior Lake‑Savage Area Schools board reviewed Policy 901.2 (technology at public meetings) at a study session and the administration recommended removing the policy because the cable channel the rule referenced no longer exists. Staff noted the district live‑streams meetings and that a 2024 community survey showed 0% use of the former channel, a decline from 2021 when it was listed as a source of information.
Some directors asked whether the district should instead update the policy to reference another local cable channel or to partner with municipal channels. Administration said live streaming is the district’s current, lower‑cost approach and that restoring a local cable broadcast would require further cost and technical analysis. One director emphasized the needs of older residents who rely on television rather than online streaming; others said live streaming offers the broadest access at the lowest cost.
After discussion the board signaled the will to remove the obsolete cable‑TV policy from the policy manual and said staff should bring the deletion forward for formal action; administrators said they would return with cost information if the board asked to explore a cable broadcast option in the future. The board did not adopt a new broadcast contract or commit to restoring cable TV during the study session.
