The Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 school board is considering electronic participation at its meetings, meaning they could appear via telephone, video or audio conferencing.

The board’s agenda for Tuesday, Jan. 27 includes a discussion of the policy.

A work session on science instruction starts at 6 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m.

The proposed policy would limit electronic participation “only when extenuating circumstances” prevent the member from physically attending. Qualifying circumstances could include conflicts with job schedule or military service as well as inclement weather.

The proposed policy mandates that the public be able to hear comments made by the absent board member; the member’s request to appear electronically be made three business days before the scheduled meeting and include an explanation about the extenuating circumstance; and the board member identify the location of the electronic communication.

Under the proposal, each board member would be limited to two electronic appearances per calendar year.

The Re-1 board previously met twice per month until voting to hold one monthly meeting starting in November 2014.

Of the seven-member Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 school board, Diane Fox has the worst attendance. Since the start of the 2014-15 school year, Fox has attended three of seven regularly scheduled board meetings. She also failed to attend the district’s lone budget workshop last May.

Vice president Jack Schuenemeyer missed two meetings last fall. President Tim Lanier, treasurer Pete Montano and members Brian Demby and Sherri Wright each missed one meeting last fall. Secretary Eric Whyte missed May’s budget workshop but is the only member to attend every meeting since the start of the 2014-15 academic year.

The board unanimously approved the budget on June 30.

tbaker@cortezjournal.com