As the community continues to emerge from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and return to more normal operations, Lake County Schools is ending virtual public input at School Board meetings and workshops. Starting in July, the district will allow only in-person public input, as was the practice prior to the pandemic.
Because of safety protocols that called for masks, social distancing and smaller gatherings, the district allowed the public to address School Board members virtually using a Zoom link during board meetings and workshops. That option has been available to the public for about a year.
In recent weeks, fewer people have taken advantage of the virtual option and have chosen instead to address the board face-to-face. At the district’s most recent meeting, on June 28, no one sought to offer public comment virtually.
As positivity rates declined, the district has changed some of its safety protocols. Masks are now optional, larger gatherings are allowed and district leaders have determined that the virtual public input link is no longer a necessity.
To offer public input in person, citizens are asked to complete an information card at the beginning of the meeting giving their name, address and topic of discussion. The cards are handed to the School Board chairman, who calls each person to the microphone to speak. Each speaker is given three minutes to address the board.
