Board of Education meetings would be broadcast online under House bill

After being criticized by Texas politicians and Nobel laureates alike because of recently adopted science standards, the State Board of Education was the subject of myriad bills this session. Many sought to strip certain powers from the board, but one, HB 772 by Rep. Donna Howard, looked to open up the board by broadcasting audio and video of their meetings online. Howard's bill passed and, at press time, was awaiting the governor's signature. If signed into law, it would take effect Sept. 1.

The Texas Freedom Network, an advocacy group that devotes itself to advancing religious freedoms and individual rights, supported the bill.

“We think this is important that all government bodies do their work in the open for citizens to see,” said TFN communications director Dan Quinn. “One of the reasons that the board is getting away with all this nonsense over the past several years is because it is hard to follow what they do. This bill will shine a light on that process.”

Quinn said that currently the board only broadcasts the audio from their meetings online, but, unless you know whose voice belongs to whom, it is nearly impossible to follow. Also, audio records do not allow for the votes to be broadcasted easily.

“Really this is a basic question of open government,” Quinn said. “Citizens have a right to see how elected officials do their jobs, especially now that technology makes it so easy.”

This bill would allow Texans from across the state to see its education board in action, Rep. Howard said.

“If you want to attend a meeting of the State Board of Education or one of its subcommittees your only choice is to travel to Austin,” she said. ”…The members of the [board] are elected officials, and their proceedings should be transparent and easily accessible to all of their constituents.”

Board members, assailed for some of their recent actions, seemed to support the proposal.

“It doesn’t bother me a bit,” said board member Bob Craig.

Craig said that when he served on the Lubbock Independent School District school board, all of their meetings were broadcast on public television. While the number of people watching the meetings varied depending on the issues being discussed, Craig said that broadcasting the meetings positively affected the community’s involvement in its public education system.

With all parties seemingly in support of this bill, Rep. Howard speaking during the legislative sessions, said she felt good about its chances.

“I am very optimistic that this bill will become a law,” she said.