Rich 227 Could Spend Thousands on Connecting with Community

With the facing a $5.2 million deficit and recovering , the board of education has been trying to build a better relationship with the community.

Trying, but not succeeding.

Saturday coffee with the board was a major topic of discussion at Tuesday's meeting at Rich South High School. Saturday coffee with the board is a monthly meeting the board has done since November 2010 to give community members a chance to talk to their board and share their opinions or ask questions.

No one showed up to the last coffee meeting and many of the previous ones hd low attendance, said Vice President Emmanuel Imoukhuede and board member Shelia Hester-Whorton. Both advised that the board revisit and reassess the need for Saturday coffee with the board.

Board member, Dr. David Morgan, continuously expressed his belief that involving the community needs to be the district’s top priority. Although he feels the board has made progress and commended them on their work “we’re not there yet,” Morgan said.

Another way the board plans to involve the community is through video recording of their meetings and posting them on the district’s website.

The board is also looking into a contract with Comcast to broadcast the meetings on their network, but to do this, the board will have to pay $7,400 for high-definition equipment and hardware. The labor could cost $200 to $1,000 depending on whether an internal or external source is used.

To broadcast with Comcast, it will cost $200 per hour, and only community members who have Comcast will be able to view their broadcast. The board will be researching the matter further to try to make it more affordable for the district.

“It is a small price to pay to involve our community,” Morgan said.