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Minidoka trustees vote to discontinue routine livestreams, reserve broadcasts for key meetings
Summary
The Minidoka County School District board voted to stop routinely broadcasting regular board meetings and to reserve livestreaming for special hearings and budget sessions. Trustees said the change responds to post-pandemic attendance patterns and cost–value questions.
The Minidoka County Joint School District #331 Board of Trustees voted Aug. 19 to discontinue routine broadcasting of its regular meetings while preserving the option to livestream special meetings such as budget hearings.
Trustee Ricardo Perez, who first raised the question, said the district began broadcasting during the COVID-19 pandemic but that it may now be appropriate to limit routine livestreams to occasions the board deems important. "I realize there is some value to broadcasting meetings, but I would like to limit broadcasting to those meetings the Board feels is important i.e. budget hearing," Trustee Perez said. Vice Chair Mary Andersen said the district is one of the few that still broadcasts and expressed concern about reducing access, but the motion to discontinue routine broadcasts carried.
Board members framed the decision as a practical choice rather than a permanent cut to public access. The board approved the motion by voice vote; the minutes record the motion as carried but do not list a recorded roll-call tally. The board directed staff to retain the ability to livestream or record specific meetings when warranted and indicated it will notify the public about which sessions will be broadcast.
Why it matters: Broadcasting affects public access and transparency for residents who cannot attend in person. The board’s decision narrows routine remote access while preserving targeted public outreach for major agenda items.
