KP School Committee Looks at Ways to Increase Public Participation

The King Philip School Committee, at its meeting Monday night, discussed ways to increase public participation in its meetings.

School Committee member Wendy Robeson pointed out that people rarely come to meetings unless there is a problem.

"I think, if people are encouraged to participate and know they can participate, there attendance would be validated," she said.

Committee member Lynn Desrochers said there could be several reasons for the issue.

"If people can either see the meeting on television or sit in the audience and not participate, they might as well stay him," she said.

Superintendent Elizabeth Zielinski said an increased focus in communicating with the public could help.

"Committee members could attend events in the community," she said. "I think we all need to be out there, doing things to promote KP."

She also noted that it was difficult to hear the members speak, as they lack microphones.

"There is a sound system in here, but we can't connect a mic into that," she said.

Other ideas, such as having attendees sign in and write what topics interest them, or programs in the local media about how the school committee works, were also discussed.