CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Josh Baggett, who is finishing his term in the District 7 seat, made a last proposal to the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board during Tuesday night’s meeting: that all meetings be livestreamed online.
While board members did not pass Baggett’s original proposal, they unanimously approved making meetings available for online video viewing later, within 24 to 48 hours after the meeting, to allow closed captioning to be added to the videos. Baggett makes case for livestreaming
“Six o’clock on a Tuesday night is not really that conducive of a time for (parents) to make those meetings,” Baggett told the board.
“I understand why we meet when we meet, but if you look at the fact if (parents) have other students they are probably dealing with other things like homework, sports, clubs and dinner. I would feel like having this option would give them the opportunity where they could watch this on their tablet, on the their phone, or on their laptop while doing those activities, or if they need to come back and watch it at a separate time, they can do so as well,” Baggett said.
Kent Griffy, board member for District 4, said he was not in favor of it being a live broadcast. “Seldom is there live TV with professionals,” he said. “It’s delayed by a few seconds. I believe it would be wiser to take the mid-road: Film it, and make it to where people can watch the meeting at their convenience without them having to be here at six o’clock.”
Baggett said he would rather it be recorded later and be available for viewing than not have School Board meetings recorded at all. Cost of services
Baggett asked if Anthony Johnson, CMCSS spokesperson, had included in the estimates he had received for the cost of filming board meetings the cost of filming meetings to be viewed at a later time.
“Whatever the board decides, we can do that either way, but what we had included was a quote for livestreaming,” he said, noting it was an estimated $150 to $200 an hour for live captioning streaming.
He said the total initial cost was $50,000 for equipment, but they would be able to use grant funds. Johson said he estimated it would cost $200 to $300 a month.
Johnson later explained to Clarksville Now the breakdown of the costs.
“Initially, for livestreaming, the district estimated around $50,000 for initial setup. The estimated $50K was for cameras, streaming equipment, A/V upgrade, adding camera controls, and other necessary equipment or potential installation charges,” Johnson said. “With the decision to video record meetings and post online later, the district will need to reevaluate the logistics and necessary equipment and personnel to develop an updated plan and cost estimate,” he added.
The next meeting will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 621 Gracey Ave.
Adria Hyde is a reporter for Clarksville Now. She can be reached at (931)-648-7720 ext. 547. or AHyde@clarksvillenow.com.