Riesland repeals sign-in rule

John Riesland, chairman of the Weston County School District No. 1 board of trustees, apologized on Jan. 25 for kicking people off the Zoom option for the board’s meeting and requiring those in attendance to sign-in during the board’s Jan. 11 meeting. 
 
As previously reported in the Jan. 19 story “Riesland’s rules,” those not signed into the board’s regular Zoom session by name were kicked out and required to reenter the meeting with their name visible. At the time, Riesland had said he was going to require such identification from  those in attendance of board’s meetings — whether online or in-person.
 
He began the board’s next meetings with an announcement that the rule would not remain in force.
 
“There is a state law, and I can’t require people to sign in at a public meeting,” Riesland said before apologizing to those who were affected. 
 
Riesland said he unknowingly broke the state statute that addresses the requirements for meetings to be open, and governing participation of the public. 
 
The statute states that “a member of the public is not required as a condition of attendance at any meeting to register his name, to supply information, to complete a questionnaire, or fulfill any other condition precedent to his attendance. A person seeking recognition at the meeting may be required to give his name and affiliation.” 
 
Rieland said, however, that it would be nice to know who is in attendance at each meeting and said that a voluntary sign-in sheet will be at the door for those who want to sign in. 
 
In keeping with statute, those who want to address the board during the meeting will be asked to identify themselves before giving their statement.