Hi Andy,
I don’t think anyone is suggesting we play games. People are bringing up different ideas and Peter specifically said: “I’m not a lawyer, but I think Town Counsel could help the Lincoln School Committee establish rules to ensure that there's better and more frequent two way communications between the public and the Committee using Lincoln Talk while avoiding any Open Meeting violations.” What we’re all trying to brainstorm here are possible forums to engage as a community and debate important issues. I am hearing you bring up opposition to each of the ideas being put forth (memo won’t work, meeting won’t work - even though it worked for the CCBC, emails won’t work, Lincoln talk won’t work), but no suggestions. If I refer to the School Committee's posted "Role and Responsibilities" document (page 2, here <https://www.lincnet.org/cms/lib/MA01001239/Centricity/domain/3/public_documents/process/SCSupRoles.pdf>), it specifically says, under SC Role: "Facilitate two-way communication between SC and community." I don't think this is happening, at least not in the same manner as with other committees in town like the CCBC. Another document on the SC site (here <https://www.lincnet.org/cms/lib/MA01001239/Centricity/domain/3/public_documents/policies/policies%20posted/b%20section/BE%20SC%20Meetings.pdf>) states there are 3 different types of meetings the SC can hold to interact with the public: “special meetings”, “forums” and “public hearings”. So the precedent exists for the SC to have an open discussion with the public. You wrote: “I think it falls back that this is an elected body and the town selects candidates that they think represent their views or have a platform of communication to push issues for them.” I don’t think that’s fair, and does not follow the SC “Role” guidelines above. Yes, these are elected positions, but there still needs to be a forum where issues can be brought up and debated. Some candidates serve for years. New, different issues come up. People move in and out of town. When I moved to Lincoln, the committee was already in place, so I had not had the opportunity to vote for someone who I “think represents my views”. Are we suggesting any concerns I have cannot be debated unless there is an election AND only if my preferred candidate wins?
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