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.4 change here is long overdue, as it has become painfully obvious this year that <br />we as a council, do not "know any better" than you, the citizens of this community. There <br />is nothing "magic" about any of us that would allow us to make a school board <br />appointment superior to that any citizen carefully weighing the issues would make, <br />should you have the opportunity to vote for school board members. If we as a council <br />truly value public input as we say we do, then we should truly value public input by <br />letting the public make the decision regarding who is best suited to direct the education <br />of our children. I trust the public, and, as I have often said, I favor an open process <br />wherein the community elects its school board members. <br /> <br /> I want to acknowledge Mr. Jeffrey Rossman, a member of the local Democrat <br />Party, for following the courage of his convictions by certifying and circulating a petition <br />that would allow the citizens of Charlottesville to vote on whether they would like to have <br />an elected or an appointed School Board This is a nonpartisan effort with bipartisan <br />support." <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said that in order to allow a voice for the many who were unable to <br />attend tonight due to a scheduling conflict, he moved that City Council establish a second <br />public hearing on School Board applicants to be held at the next regularly scheduled <br />Council meeting on June 20th. Mr. Lynch seconded the motion. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati suggested that this suggestion be reviewed and Council polled. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brown said that the public hearing will need to be advertised and <br />appointments could not be made until at least seven days after the public hearing. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said that she will likely be out of town the week of June 27th when <br />the appointments would have to be made. <br /> <br /> It was the consensus of Council that a decision would be dependent on Council <br />Member's availability. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling made a motion that all School Board interviews be in open session <br />wherein the public would be allowed to observe. Mr. Lynch seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he is hesitant to open the interviews to the public. He said <br />candidates were not notified about this and it would be an unannounced change. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said ground rules could be set and he sees no reason why the <br />interviews could not be done in public. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton noted that Mr. Schilling has complained in the past about not being <br />given adequate notice. She said it would be different if this suggestion had been raised in <br />the beginning of the process, and she objects to changing the procedure in the middle of <br />the process. She said people have a right to know what the process will be. She said it <br />may be an excellent idea for the next process. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he agrees that a heads up about the proposal would have been <br />helpful. He said the environment needs to be consistent with all candidates and he would <br />support having people attend as long as there are thoughtful rules. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that Mr. Schilling has a good point, but said it would have been <br />good to have been given notice. <br /> <br /> Council agreed to open the School Board interviews to the public by the <br />following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Noes: Mr. Caravati and <br />Ms. Hamilton. <br /> <br />REPORT: EAST END MALL DEVELOPMENT STATUS <br /> <br /> <br />