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Southbridge School Committee adopts revised operating protocols, clarifies virtual attendance rules
Summary
The Southbridge School Committee voted 5–1 Feb. 11 to adopt updated operating protocols that require 48‑hour public posting for any meeting with a virtual component and clarify when members may join remotely and still vote.
The Southbridge School Committee voted 5–1 on Feb. 11 to adopt revised operating protocols that, among other edits, require agendas to list a virtual meeting link at least 48 hours before any meeting that includes a remote attendance option.
The committee amended language in the protocols' introductory paragraph (removing an extraneous "and") and changed meeting posting from 24 to 48 hours to align with the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. The motion to approve the protocols passed with five members in favor and one opposed; the committee recorded the vote as 5–1 and the motion carried.
The protocols update also clarifies conditions under which a committee member may participate remotely and retain voting rights. Under the revised text, a member who cannot attend in person due to illness, a family emergency or a business trip may join virtually and be considered present for voting—provided the meeting is posted with the virtual access information and the public is given the same remote access. Committee staff said virtual meetings would be moderated, members of the public would generally be muted and public comment would follow the committee's existing public input policy.
During discussion several members debated operational details. One member said she could not support the protocols until the language about who gets to speak and how visual materials would be shared was clarified; other members replied that the committee would coordinate with the cable department and refine the process as needed. Committee members also discussed converting future meetings to a consistent hybrid format to avoid last‑minute changes.
Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Jan. 14): motion and second recorded; unanimous of those present (vote recorded in meeting as unanimous). - Approval of operating protocols: passed 5–1 (yes: 5; no: 1). No named mover or seconder was recorded in the public transcript.
Ending The committee directed staff to incorporate the agreed edits (remove the comma in the introductory paragraph and change posting to 48 hours), to confirm hybrid meeting technical support with the town cable department, and to bring the protocol for 6‑month review as part of regular governance practice.
