To the editor:

Thank you for the editorial "When open isn't open." Unfortunately, your message is spot on.

People may remember that, as an elected official, I was silenced the last eight months when I was on the school committee by being prohibited from putting "Common Core" on the agenda. We now know that silencing the canary in the coal mine is their way of not addressing the issues when it differs from their view of said issue.
The editorial was also correct when it stated that the school committee does the same thing week after week to residents when they come to the microphone to discuss whatever. There is no back and forth...no real, meaningful conversation.

It's not only sad, it’s discouraging to witness such a practice in what should be a vibrant, vocal exchange of ideas. The current practice quells free speech.
It seems to me that the school committee has become even more aggressive in their quest to implement their agenda, regardless of the consequences to taxpayers and residents. I am uncertain what the answer is, but maybe the school committee could provide an “open forum” for residents to weigh in on how to improve upon the current format to make it more democratic, transparent and to increase resident participation.

Scott Fuller

Barrington