As of Aug. 2, the meetings will no longer be streamed live on the district’s YouTube channel

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) has confirmed that they will no longer be live streaming their school board meetings via their YouTube channel at this time. 

Community members noticed the change when during the Aug. 2 meeting, a live stream never became available to attendees virtually.

The AUSD started live streaming their meetings on YouTube in compliance with Governor Newsom’s executive orders, the San Luis Obispo County’s Shelter-in-Place orders, and the State Public Health Officer’s orders due to COVID in March 2020.

The school board then started operating under AB 361 on Oct. 5, 2021, which authorized remote teleconferencing. 

According to San Luis Obispo County Superintendent James Brescia, AB 361, authorizing remote meetings, remains in effect until January 1, 2024. He added that it may only be utilized when a legislative body of a local agency holds a meeting during a declared state of emergency. The County District legal counsel indicated that boards were able to meet under AB 361 pursuant to the state of emergency until June 30, 2022 (unless the state of emergency is changed).  

You can find the Governor’s Executive order here: gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1.5.22-Bagley-Keene-waiver-EO.pdf

The board passed continuing AB 361 on Jun. 7, 2022, in their consent agenda at their board meeting, and live streamed their June 14 meeting, but upon their return on Aug. 2, 2022, they moved to in-person without formal notification to the public.

According to the district, no public notification is required to stop live streaming.

As of now, the school board meetings are fully open to the public and can be attended in person.

“It [going back to live streaming] is certainly something we can look at; we just need to hear that there is an audience,” said the District. 

Atascadero residents are encouraged to reach out to the AUSD directly via phone (805)462-4200 or email; staceyphillips@atasusd.org. They are also encouraged to attend the upcoming school board meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m. to voice their opinions. The board meeting is located at the District Office/Board Room at 5601 West Mall in Atascadero. Letters can also be sent to that location.