Transparency is one of the most significant benefits of having access to Local Government & School Board meeting minutes & agendas. Citizens can hold their elected officials accountable for their actions and make informed decisions about whether to re-elect them. Additionally, it is virtually impossible to keep up to date on what local governments and school boards are doing. This transparency also promotes trust in government, as citizens can see that their representatives are acting in the public interest.

• Problem #1: Accessing the Local Government & School Board meeting minutes, agendas, and documents is time-consuming, and cumbersome, creating an unnecessary barrier to civic & community engagement
• Problem #2: Citizens spend countless hours reviewing documents and recordings to find out how their elected officials have commented and/or voted on critical issues that affect their lives.
• Problem #3: Complete lack of transparency

Transparency is a key benefit of having access to local government and school board meeting minutes and agendas, as it allows citizens to hold elected officials responsible for their actions and decisions. This transparency promotes trust in government and helps to reveal politicians’ beliefs, priorities, and voting records. By monitoring local government and school board activities, citizens can make informed decisions on which candidates to support during elections, ensuring that government accountability is maintained.

However, there are challenges to accessing this critical information, as the current approach to accessing minutes and agendas is time-consuming and lacks equity. Citizens often spend hours sifting through documents and recordings to find crucial information. This cumbersome process can lead to disenfranchisement, as marginalized communities and individuals may be further alienated by the difficulty of accessing information. This highlights the responsibility of state delegates, senators, and school board officials to ensure easy access to information.

By addressing these access challenges and making it easier for citizens to engage with critical information, the benefits of transparency can be fully realized. Easier access enables better civic engagement and allows citizens to make informed decisions, fostering a more equitable and accountable government. Ultimately, improving access to local government and school board meeting minutes and agendas strengthens the foundation of democracy and encourages active participation from all citizens.