Southbridge ad hoc subcommittee forwards operating protocols draft, adds hybrid attendance option

The Southbridge Public Schools operating protocols ad hoc subcommittee voted Feb. 5 to refer a draft of updated operating protocols to the full school committee, adding a hybrid attendance provision that would allow members to join meetings remotely in cases of illness, family emergency or business travel.

The change, discussed at the committee's Feb. 5 meeting in the Bryce Conference Room, would require agendas to be posted as hybrid and provide 24 hours' notice when a member plans to participate remotely. Members also discussed editing the draft's introductory citation to state "Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 31, Section 37" and replacing the abbreviation "OML" with the full phrase "Open Meeting Law" to avoid confusion.

Committee members debated where to place the new hybrid language in the draft protocols; the subcommittee agreed to insert it under the Meetings section as the fourth bullet point. A participant summarized the proposed remote-attendance text as: "If a school committee member is unable to attend in person due to illness, a family emergency, or a business trip, they may join virtually," and tied that wording to ensuring "flexibility, inclusivity" and advance notice to the public. That statement was attributed to the meeting chair (name not specified in the transcript).

Members also reviewed an introductory sentence in the draft that references Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 31, Section 37 and discussed removing the numbered list that followed that citation in the draft. One member characterized an earlier phrasing as sounding like a reconstitution from the bylaws and recommended retaining or adjusting the sentence so the citation remains clear without the numbered items.

The group noted several minor edits before finalizing language, including spelling out "Open Meeting Law" rather than using the initials "OML." A member also referenced a 30-minute timing element in the norms and asked others to review that item for clarity.

A motion "to refer [the draft operating protocols] to the full committee for approval" was made, seconded and passed on a voice vote; the transcript records the vote as "All in favor?" followed by "Motion passes." The transcript did not record the names of the mover and seconder or any recorded roll-call vote.

The subcommittee adjourned at 5:06 p.m.

The draft will next be considered by the full Southbridge Public Schools committee; no further dates or votes were specified in the transcript.