Hello I’m Marilyn Singer, Action chair for the League of Women Voters of Fremont, Newark and Union City. Recognizing Sunshine week March 11-17, we, the League, would like to thank you, the Newark Unified School District for supporting Open Government.

Sunshine Week is a time for governmental and non-governmental organizations to focus on the importance openness in government plays in ensuring a strong democracy and the liberty we all cherish. James Madison once said: "The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty." 

We ask you to continue to advance and diffuse the knowledge the citizens of Newark need by continuing to adhere to California’s Brown Act that governs meetings conducted by local legislative bodies. We thank you for your commitment to facilitate public participation in our local government. Upon reviewing your minutes of previous meetings we noticed that the reports from student councils were not detailed at all. We think that more details would give more weight to their reports and also give the public a better understanding of your schools’ accomplishments. And we wonder if there are supporting documents submitted to you, the board members, and if they are ever attached to the agendas on your web site for full public access. 

We ask you to continue to advance and diffuse the knowledge the citizens of Newark need by adhering to California’s Brown Act. We ask you to continue facilitating public participation in local government by doing the following:

• ensure dates and times of all meetings are noticed, 
• ensure that agendas including a brief description of all agenda items be posted at least 72 hours prior to a regular meeting,
• encourage public comment on each agenda item, and
• publish full minutes of meetings in a timely manner. 

Again, we thank you the Newark Unified School Board for your continued support for open government.

On behalf of the League I would like to present you with this poster celebrating

Sunshine Week.