Citizens petition asks for School Comm. meetings on T.V.
Published on October 6th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - When the School Committee voted 3-2 in September not to televise its meetings, members thought the issue was dead.
But it seems the cable coverage question will rise again just in time for the pre-Halloween Special Town Meeting on Oct. 25.
Two weeks ago Green Street resident Terri Ghannam submitted a warrant article in the form of a petition asking for meetings to be televised.
An August on-line pole taken by the Stoneham Independent indicated majority support among readers for televising the meetings.
But a majority of the School Committee — members Stephen Gucciardi, Marie Christie and Mary Pecoraro — did not think TV was a good idea. Chairwoman Jeanne Craigie and Mary Carey voted to televise meetings but lost the issue.
Two weeks ago Ghannam garnered 115 signatures of registered voters in 10 days.
"I have two kids and my husband sometimes works late," Ghannam said. "More people like me could follow School Committee business if it was on cable TV."
Ghannam said the town has the equipment and is willing to pay.
Craigie agreed; a condition of her initial support had been the assurance that money would not come out of the school budget for the taping.
"Town Counsel Bill Solomon told me the cable company or town would cover the cost," Craigie said.
Superintendent Joe Connelly confirmed that if the School Committee had voted to televise meetings, Media One Cable was under contract to pay.
The chairwoman said televised meetings would force all members to be accountable and prepared.
However, she said the issue is mute, or at least should be.
"I think televising meetings is a good idea, but the issue lost," Craigie said. "I don't look back. We are the policy-makers, and a decision has been made."
Pecoraro, who voted against televising the meetings, said people have the right to bring their ideas to the town.
Ghannam was not satisfied with the School Committee decision, so she did, in the form of a Town Meeting article.
"If they don't want to be in the spotlight, then we won't elect them next time," Ghannam said.
But members who opposed televising meetings state reasons other than a fear of increased scrutiny.
"People won't bother coming if the meetings are on television," said Christie. "And if they are at home, they will miss things."
"People channel surf and won't get the full story," Pecoraro said.
Christie said she had no problem with being on television but preferred a live crowd.
"If our meetings are on TV, we will have fewer people than the usual four or five," Christie said.
The selectmen accepted Ghannam's article on Sept. 29. The school committee is looking into the legality of her petition. If the article stands, the people of Stoneham will have the final say at Town Meeting Oct. 25.
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