Valley Center board adopts KASB policy updates on livestreaming and public records

The Valley Center School Board voted 7-0 to adopt a set of KASB policy changes meant to align district rules with recent amendments to the Kansas Open Meetings Act and the Kansas Open Records Act.

The revisions include a new interpretation that meetings of a board-created subcommittee become subject to the Open Meetings Act when a majority of that subcommittee meets. The policy package also addresses voluntary livestreaming: if the board chooses to livestream a meeting, the district must make all aspects of the open meeting available on the chosen medium (excluding executive session), though an unintentional technical failure or an action by a service provider that disrupts the stream is an exception.

Attorney Emily Bridal, appearing for the district’s legal counsel, said the Open Records Act changes clarify what costs may be charged to requesters — notably staff time for review and redaction — and require the district to provide an itemized statement of charges upon request. Bridal said the law also directs districts to make reasonable efforts to contact a requester if staff time is expected to exceed five hours or estimated costs surpass $200 so the scope can be narrowed or the requester can confirm the charges.

"If the board voluntarily elects to livestream a meeting, either on television, the Internet, or any other medium, the board has to ensure that all aspects of the open meeting are available through the selected medium," Bridal said, describing the statute's intent and the limited exceptions for technical disruptions.

Greg Lear told trustees the district already follows a documented records-request process and that staff would update procedures and public-facing notices to reflect the new requirements. Trustees asked practical questions about whether partial livestreams or intermittent technical issues could create a legal problem; Bridal recommended further discussion about operational practices and suggested the board revisit the livestreaming policy next month.

Trustee Don moved to accept the changes as presented; Trustee Sean seconded the motion. The board approved the policy package by a 7-0 voice vote.

The board did not revise its livestreaming practice tonight; members directed staff to return with implementation options and recommended language for the district’s livestream policy at a future meeting.

Vote at a glance: policy package adopted (motion: "accept the changes as presented"), mover: Don, second: Sean, outcome: approved, tally announced 7 yes, 0 no.

What’s next: staff will draft operational policy language on livestreaming and records-request procedures for board consideration in a coming meeting.