Stolz Stunned When Motion to Explore Webcasting Passes
East Penn School Board directs Superintendent Thomas Seidenberger to prepare a report about webcasting meetings on the school district website, but the vote is not unanimous.
East Penn School Board Member Julian Stolz was shocked when his motion to explore webcasting passed. (FILE PHOTO)
Patch file photo
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The East Penn School Board decided on Monday to direct Superintendent Thomas L. Seidenberger to prepare a report about the feasibility of webcasting school board meetings on the school district website.
The decision came on a 6-3 split vote after a motion by Julian Stolz who, at the end of the meeting, was stunned.
"Oh my God, they approved one of my motions," he said.
The webcasting issue has surfaced in the past, with Stolz most recently broaching the topic during the board’s Sept. 24 meeting.
On Monday, Stolz reminded his fellow board members that several of them had spoken out in favor of webcasting during their campaigns for office.
Seidenberger said a report was done by the administration three to four years ago, but it would be necessary to update the information.
The superintendent also said he was willing to do a report without a vote by the board forcing him to do it.
However, Stolz said he preferred to make his motion directing Seidenberger to prepare the report. He also wanted the board to vote on it.
At that point, board Chairman Charles Ballard said he would like board solicitor Marc Fisher to contribute to the report -- to comment on any district liability issues with webcasting.
Board member Alan Earnshaw added that the superintendent’s report also should take into account that sometimes the board changes its meeting place when a larger audience is anticipated. For example, Earnshaw said, sometimes the board has met in the cafeteria.
But even after making those suggestions, Ballard and Earnshaw voted against Stolz’s motion directing Seidenberger to put together a webcasting report. The board vote was 6-3, with Francee Fuller joining Ballard and Earnshaw in voting against the motion.
Bob Guzzardi
7:37 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Radnor has webcast for years successfully. Residents can email or post salient portions and web casting allows fast forwarding to locate substantive parts of meetings. Good idea, Julian.
Ron Beitler
8:34 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
LMT webcasts meetings. Many do. Many have for years.
Ron Beitler
2:37 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
LMT's however are not live.... it's really a streamable video available a couple days after the meeting happens not a live streaming webcast. I WISH they would webcast the meetings live. Another issue I have with the way LMT streams is you cannot fast forward or rewind you must watch the entire 2-3 hour meeting in sequence. I would suggest that as EPSD explores this the delivery mechanism allows for fast-forwarding and rewinding. Webcast imo means a live stream. Video playback means you can access anytime and playback. These definitions should be clarified as to exactly what service is being sought for the taxpayer. Live webcasting or the ability to click a link and play a video.
ted.dobracki
9:26 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
King of Prussia had live, regular TV telecasts of both township and school board meetings (two different venues) that were repeated several times each when I lived their for two years in 2003-2005. (actually Upper Merion Twp) I only went to one live school board meeting there, since there really was little reason to go in person, so that might actually save money and inconvenience by rpreventing unnecessary changes of venue in the future for ESPD!
sqwat tingdog
9:49 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Good grief. No one should have to look at that when they turn on the pc first thing in the morning. Thank god I haven't eaten.
Stan Zukowski
10:14 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Stolz is surprised his motion passed? *I'm* surprised he actually introduced a useful motion.
Rob Hamill
10:30 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
So the people voting against the video-taping of the meetings are: (1) Chuck Ballard( of the infamous, "I never accepted money from the teacher's union", "Oh I forgot, I did accept money from the teachers union. (2) Francee Fuller, (I wear my PSEA union pin to school board meetings). (3) Allan (I am proud to accept awards from the teachers union for representing them, not the taxpayer and family) Earnshaw. . What they all have in common is that they don't want the light of truth shown on who they represent, and it ain't anybody but the union interests.
Rob Hamill
10:32 am on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Also, look at the headline, it has nothing to do with the 3 board members dealing in the dark, it is a semi-slur against the person who brought the motion up. Editorialism in reporting, wonderful.
Bob Guzzardi
2:07 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
PSEA funded school board members. Isn't that like having fox in hen house? PSEA has driven up costs, including pension costs, without improving quality of education. The Forgotten Taxpayer remains very apprehensive.
And there is really no reason not to webcast. very common place
Nice job, Julian...Persistence !
optimist
2:29 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Speaking of funding Bob aren't you the one that sent all kinds of money to Stolz and friends even though you live far from the E.P. district? Be careful how much you read into what SoaringEagle (when he is running for office) has to say. He spews hateful nonsense on a regular basis.
Bob Guzzardi
3:20 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Julian is reliable and, unlike many of his critics, has actually gotten himself elected and has raised some issues. What would be good is there were those who were willing to do what he does...knock on doors, get elected and do the work rather than tell him what he should do with his time and resources. Julian does what others talk about doing.