The Tift County Board of Education halted plans to livestream and record its public meetings in July, but board members have not publicly explained their opposition.

According to an email obtained by the Tifton Grapevine, Board Chairman Jonathan Jones directed then-Superintendent Natalie Gore not to livestream, video record, or audio record BOE meetings without the board’s consent. Jones wrote that he had polled board members and that “no one supports this.” When later questioned, Jones said livestreaming had not been discussed with the board and, to his knowledge, was not a budgeted expense. He said his polling of members was intended to confirm their views from discussions in previous years but did not explain the reasons behind those views.

The Grapevine reports that the school system already had the equipment and technology necessary to stream meetings without additional expense and has livestreamed other events, including Tift County High School graduations. By comparison, Tifton City Council has recorded its public meetings for more than a decade and makes them available online.

The Grapevine says it contacted every school board member individually asking why they opposed livestreaming or recording the meetings. None provided an explanation. Jones gave the response above, while board member Pat McKinnon acknowledged the inquiry but did not answer the question.

Source: Tifton Grapevine