Eugene 4J board to return to in-person meetings

After six-and-a-half months of virtual meetings, the Eugene School District 4J Board of Directors voted in favor of resuming in-person meetings starting at its next regular meeting Dec. 14.

The school board has held virtual meetings since a conflict in May occurred during a public meeting. The board was discussing Policy KGBB, which would ban conceal carry firearms on all school property with the exception of on-duty law enforcement. The public comment got heated after several community members who were pro-gun rights were unable to speak due to improper protocol when signing up for the meeting.

In a recording of the May 18 meeting, which can be found on 4J's YouTube, voices were raised. Board member Laural O’Rourke can be heard cautioning the group not to “incite something.”

One of the animated audience members said “Is my skin the wrong color?” to O’Rourke, the only Black board member. Judy Newman, who was board chair at the time, called for a recess.

Since that situation, the board has held all meetings virtually "until board members can research security firms for future meetings," as voted on in a special board meeting following the recess.

During Wednesday's regular board meeting, the five present board members voted unanimously in favor of a return to hybrid meetings.

Board members Keerti Hasija Kauffman and O'Rourke were not present.

Board member Gordon Lafer made the motion to resume in-person starting next week.

"Will we will meet in person, but we'll create the possibility of anybody who wants to participate remotely, whether that's a board member, staff presentation or a member of the public or student member able to do that via Zoom," Lafer said.

Board member Alicia Hays said she was appreciative of the thought that went behind this new hybrid plan.

"There might be a few little issues, but (we will) really do our best and make the decisions and make the tweaks to make sure that it is as fair and equitable for the people on the screen as in the room," Hays said. "I do appreciate that that's our goal, and I just challenge all of us to keep that in mind as we move forward."

The board's next meeting is 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at the 4J District Office, 200 N. Monroe St.

Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Eugene school board to return to in-person meetings