Resident asks Smith trustees to add Zoom and faster video posting for public meetings

Leslie Scans Hodgson, a librarian at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School and a Northampton resident, urged the board to provide remote access (Zoom or equivalent) for board meetings and to post recordings more promptly.

Hodgson said the school community draws from “dozens of communities across several counties” and that travel time, work schedules and physical limitations make in‑person attendance difficult for many. “Providing a remote option like Zoom would make it easier for community members to watch and participate,” she said, and added that a quicker posting cadence would help: she noted the recording of the April 9 meeting was posted about 40 days later and has already received nearly 30 views.

Hodgson framed the request as an access and transparency measure. She also told trustees that many other local boards and committees in Northampton already hold hybrid meetings and that offering a remote option would “promote transparency, civic involvement, and overall improved communications between [the board] and the SBAHS community.”

Trustees acknowledged the request during the meeting; no formal policy change or vote was taken at this session. Board members may raise the request at a future agenda item for action on hybrid meeting procedures or technical equipment procurement.