Sweetwater board succumbs to public outcry

On Monday, January 28, concerned parents, teachers, and community members packed the Sweetwater Union High School District board meeting. One reason for the big draw was the district’s proposal to move evening board meetings to early afternoon.

Last week, it was learned that Sweetwater superintendent Ed Brand was going to propose changing the bylaws so that regular board meeting closed session would begin at 2:00 (instead of 5:00), open session at 3:30, and “public communication will be held immediately following the open session or at 6:00, whichever comes first.”

At Monday's meeting, parents and teachers reminded the board that the early start time would preclude many working people from participating and that it would be undemocratic to hear public comments after decisions had been made.

The board succumbed to the public outcry and voted to start closed sessions one half hour earlier — at 4:30. Open session will begin at 6:00.