Parma City Board to post audio recordings instead of livestreams; members split on transparency and access

At the start of the Feb. 12 meeting, the presiding officer announced the district will transition from livestreamed board meetings to posting audio recordings the following day and making meeting documents available on the district website. The change was presented as legally reviewed and intended to increase access for families with limited internet bandwidth.

The decision prompted immediate board reaction. Mister Reyes said he was surprised and "strongly, strongly, strongly disagree[d]" with the approach, arguing no single member should make such a decision without board approval. Miss McTaggart questioned whether the recommendation violated Ohio's Open Meetings Act (ORC 121.22) and the board's policies; she said the recommendation should have been presented to the full board for discussion and a vote. "You made the decision to no longer livestream," Miss McTaggart said, "and you are breaking the law," citing concerns about process.

Other board members supported trying posted audio and emphasized equity of access. Miss Kerpich said she had "no issues" with the change if presentations and projected documents are made available on BoardDocs. Missus Sebastian said shifting to audio might reduce performative dynamics and better protect staff and students from targeting while keeping transparency through recordings and minutes.

The presiding officer said the practice is common among other districts and that legal counsel had reviewed the approach; she also said meeting minutes would remain the official record. The board agreed to discuss the decision further at an upcoming meeting and noted that recordings would be posted with full meeting content.