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Catholic board to Podcast board meetings By Tim Whitnell METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Meetings of the Halton Catholic District School Board soon will be available to the public via the Internet. Trustees at the regular board meeting last week agreed to podcasting of the school board's public meetings. It means that audio-video of regular gatherings of the board of trustees, but not private (in-camera) meetings, can be viewed on the Web. The taped podcasts might be available to the public for the first time before the end of 2012, said Burlington trustee John Morrison, chair of the board's policy committee, which recommended to trustees that video podcasting be implemented. It has not been determined yet, how soon after a public board meeting it will be available to view. The Halton public school board, which just began podcasting its meetings, tries to make them available within 24-48 hours of an open board meeting. Podcasting requires some personnel to be dedicated to the program as well as at least one camera in the boardroom. A report from the Halton Catholic board policy committee estimated the annual cost of podcasting at $5,000 with the funds 9 · Thursday, September 27, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com "The (board) discussion started with live streaming, but we decided to walk before we run." John Morrison, chair, Policy Committee Halton Catholic District School Board the issues important to them. It also provides the best record of board discussions," he said in a press release. "We should always try to be more open about the work we do on behalf of Halton residents; this is a small but important step. I am surprised it (trustee vote) wasn't unanimous, given the state of technology and the overwhelming movement of governmental organizations toward greater openness," Marai added. · · · Halton public school board communications officer Jason Misner said a motion was approved in June to start its podcasts in September. The board's June and August meetings were posted as podcasts. The uploads are usually completed within a few days. The public board is tracking citizen feedback to its podcasts. Separate from podcasts, the public board maintains a DVD library of audio/visual recordings of its board meetings. They are accessible to the public, and also serve as a backup to the official minutes of the board. required to be incorporated into the 201213 revised board budget. The idea to podcast board meetings stemmed from a suggestion made by Oakville trustee Paul Marai in September 2011 to implement live video streaming of its board meetings by the end of the 201112 school year. "The (board) discussion started with live streaming but we decided to walk before we run," Morrison told The Oakville Beaver. While there will be no live streaming, Marai says podcasting is "the first step towards greater transparency in recent memory for the board. "Given the size of the region, it will make it far easier for constituents to tune in to Hurry! Our sale ends soon! PRIME RIB DINNER R E S E RV E Y OU R TAB L E NOW Certified Angus Prime Rib Sale Ends October 31st EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY FROM 4:00 P.M. $ (Plus taxes and gratuities) 3995 For a limited time, get up to 40% off ff th the llatest t t state-of-the-art t t f th t hearing aid technology. Call or visit our Oakville Hearing Solutions clinic during our Friends & Family Event and take advantage of our best deal of the year! per person Including a choice of Appetizer, Mini Dessert and Coffee Offered every Friday and Saturday at Stone House Restaurant. 3106 South Service Road Burlington (between Guelph Line & Walkers Line) *See clinic for details 905-632-1316 www.stonehouserestaurant.ca