Transparency, trust and the power of public records

Andrea Messina is CEO of Florida School Boards Association and Kathy McFarland is Executive Director of COSSBA.  Together, Andrea and Kathy bring deep experience supporting school boards and school districts across the country. In our conversation, we explore why transparency is so critical for public-facing boards, where organizations sometimes fall short, and how open meetings, clear communication, and consistent records management help build trust — even when decisions are complex or controversial.From livestreamed meetings and accessible agendas to records retention and board accountability, this Sunshine Week conversation reinforces a core leadership principle: transparency isn’t about doing things perfectly — it’s about doing them openly, consistently and with the public in mind.Listen in as Andrea and Kathy share their advice and experience for public‑facing boards navigating the whole area of transparency.And do stick around to the end to hear their excellent advice for building a strong culture of transparency and trust. Further resources on transparency for public boards:Our guide to transparency through technology for education can be downloaded here.Our guide to transparency through technology for government can be downloaded here.