Blackout Lifted on School Board Cablecasts

The Strongsville School Board will override a long-standing policy and allow meetings to be shown on cable TV during election season.

Traditionally, the board has not aired meetings for 60 days prior to a general election to prevent candidates from "grandstanding" for the camera.

But resident Ken McEntee said that with a  on the November ballot and other important issues before the board, the blackout should be lifted so the public can stay informed without having to attend the meetings.

Board member Dave Gusman agreed.

"We've got a lot of issues to get out to the public," he said.

Board member Carl Naso said he understood the reason for the blackout, "but at the same time, I'm all for transparency."

The board voted 4-1, with Board President Jennifer Sinisgalli dissenting, to allow board meetings to be cablecast through the election.

However, the public comment section of the meetings will not be aired to prevent candidates for school board from using them as a forum for their campaigns.

Sinisgalli said that type of grandstanding has happened in the past is is part of the reason the district's Policy Committee recommended the blackouts.