Public can now comment virtually at Cape school board meetings
Members of the public can now provide comment remotely via Zoom at Cape school board meetings, instead of having to be there in person, per a recent board policy change.
“The timing of our board meetings is difficult, especially for younger families and [those] with kids in high school because of sports,” board member Jessica Tyndall said. “I think the more eyeballs that we can get that this is an available option, perhaps the more participation we can get.”
The change, which board members unanimously approved at their Sept. 24 meeting, follows Gov. Matt Meyer’s signing of House Bill 64 earlier that month. The legislation requires that school board meetings have a way for the public to view and provide comment remotely.
While Cape started offering a virtual viewing option via Zoom several years ago, only with the recent change has it established a mechanism for virtual public comment.
Allowing remote public comment eliminates some of the logistical barriers – scheduling conflicts, lack of transportation, etc. – that have long hindered community participation, making it easier than ever before for folks to make their voices heard.
Community members can now share their input no matter where they physically are, whether they’re picking up their child from an after-school club meeting or sports practice, traveling out of state to visit family members or just relaxing at home after a long day at work.
Tyndall and her fellow board members hope the increased convenience, accessibility and feasibility will boost community engagement. The more public input the board receives, the easier it is for them to gauge their constituents’ priorities and stances on key issues, allowing them to tailor their discussions and make better-informed decisions.
District Supervisor of Technology Michael League and Assistant Superintendent LouAnn Hudson developed the new procedure over the past several months.
To utilize the remote comment option, folks can either sign up the day of the meeting through a link that will become available that day on the meetings page on the board website, or join the Zoom 15 minutes early and send a message in the chatbox that they would like to participate. To view the meeting schedule or access the Zoom link for an upcoming meeting, go to capehenlopenschools.com/board-of-education, and click on the tab labeled “Meeting Minutes, Dates & Virtual Links to Upcoming Meetings” on the left side of the page.
Remote participants can choose either to speak during the citizens’ participation portion, which takes place at the start of the meeting, or to comment on a specific agenda item. The district’s technology team will notify Board President Alison Myers of any virtual comment requests and will unmute each participant’s microphone when it’s their turn to speak.
Zoom participants’ cameras will be disabled, so the board will be able to hear but not see them. The technology team has control over the audio, so if anyone on Zoom says anything inappropriate or that violates established board policies, the team will be able to shut off their microphone.
Virtual participants are subject to the same limits and time constraints as those for in-person participants.
Ellen McIntyre is a reporter covering education and all things Dewey Beach. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State - Schreyer Honors College in May 2024, then completed an internship writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In 2023, she covered the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand as a freelancer for the Associated Press and saw her work published by outlets including The Washington Post and Fox Sports. Her variety of reporting experience covers crime and courts, investigations, politics and the arts. As a Hockessin, Delaware native, Ellen is happy to be back in her home state, though she enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures. She also loves live music, reading, hiking and spending time in nature.
