school boards Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Tennessee Coalition for Open Government

14 Mar, 2014

Greene County school board chairman apologizes over TV camera ban

By Deborah Fisher|2015-08-18T07:55:08-05:00March 14, 2014|Categories: Open Meetings, school boards|Tags: Greene County, schools, Tennessee Open Meetings Act, tv camera ban, WJHL|1 Comment

The Greene County school board chairman apologized last night to "the board and to the public" over the TV camera ban from its public meeting last month, according to WJHL News Channel 11 and The Greeneville Sun. The board also proposed language that would change its camera policy. The policy allows the school board to prohibit cameras, including TV cameras, and is recommended by the Tennessee School Boards Association. However, an Tennessee Attorney General's opinion about banning cameras from public meetings says they should only be prohibited if they create a safety problem or disturb the orderly conduct of the meeting. Neither of those reasons was given to the WJHL [...]

Greene County camera policy mirrors recommendation from TSBA

By Deborah Fisher|2017-01-06T15:27:24-06:00February 28, 2014|Categories: Attorney General Opinions, Open Meetings, school boards|Tags: AG opinion, Greene County, schools, Tennessee Open Meetings Act, tv camera ban|0 Comments

The Greene County Board of Education's decision to ban TV cameras from its public meetings appears to be based on a recommended camera policy by the the Tennessee School Board Association. The school board association sets out best practices for its members. A recommended meeting policy contains the same language that is being reported as in the Greene County school board policy: "No one shall bring a camera, camcorder or other photographic equipment to Board meetings without the consent of the Board," reads TSBA's recommendation. The Greene County school board policy differs only that it starts "The press shall not bring..." The association insists its recommended language is not a "ban" [...]

Greene County school board bans TV cameras to avoid “sound-bite view”

By Deborah Fisher|2015-08-18T07:56:19-05:00February 28, 2014|Categories: Open Meetings, school boards|Tags: Greene County, schools, Tennessee Open Meetings Act, tv camera ban, WJHL|1 Comment

(March 14 Update: The Greene County school board chairman apologized on March 13 for the TV camera ban. The board proposed language to change its policy to permit "cameras or any other recording devices" in its meetings, with a majority vote required to remove them only if they become a "hindrance or pose a threat to public safety." The new policy is to be voted on at the next Greene County school board meeting. To hear what board members said at the March 13 meeting, click here.) Previously published: The Greene County School Board last night banned a TV camera from its meeting, with the director of schools saying on [...]