School board members to meet in-person; virtual options still available for audience

Although virtual meetings are allowed to continue through December 31, 2021 for all public bodies in Washtenaw County, according to Superintendent Dr. Brad Bezeau, the Manchester Community Schools Board of Education meetings will take place in an in-person format for all Board of Education members, although he stipulated that “they are allowed to attend virtually to accommodate absent board members due to military duty, a medical condition, or a statewide or local emergency.”

“Public participation will be in-person in this format,” Bezeau explained. “The In-Person meetings will take place in the Manchester Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium, which will allow for a maximum of 25 individuals at the meeting in that space. There will also be an additional room adjacent to the auditorium where the live stream will be available and where any participant beyond the 25 people in the auditorium will participate with the meeting and be able to offer public participation as well in the auditorium.”

The meetings will also be streamed live via YouTube.

Bezeau added that the in-person meetings will adhere to the social distancing and mitigation measures and standards, and all school board members, school staff, and anyone attending the meeting must also comply with the Emergency Order’s face mask requirement.

The next MCS Regular Board of Education Meeting will take place on Monday, April 19, 2021 beginning at 6 pm in the Manchester Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium.

In addition, Manchester Township and Bridgewater Township have also resumed in-person meetings. Bridgewater Clerk Michelle McQueer stated, “It has been our practice in the past to meet virtually if mandated; otherwise we prefer in person due to the lack of internet in our Township.”

Bridgewater Township regular meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month; while Manchester Township meetings are regularly held on the second Tuesday of each month. Neither township has plans to stream their future meetings at this time.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.