CalSTRS committee reviews inbound-communications tool and updates to operative principles

At the June committee meeting staff presented two linked items: a reference tool that maps the types of inbound communications the CalSTRS board receives and a first reading of revised operative principles that emphasize transparency and engagement with members and the public.

“A map of inbound communication” was presented as a reference intended for inclusion in the board’s digital book (Diligent) and in new‑trustee onboarding, staff said. The tool categorizes types of incoming requests and identifies the staff policies used to coordinate responses.

Several trustees urged clearer language about how public comment is handled at meetings. Trustee Juarez recommended making explicit that trustees typically do not respond directly to speakers during meetings: “We don't in our meetings, we don't respond directly back to people... it's not an actual conversation per se.” Trustee Michelle said that for members who travel to speak it can feel like silence and recommended adding brief explanatory language on the public‑comment instruction sheet (she noted Bagley‑Keene constraints on in‑meeting responses).

Trustees asked that the updated operative principles reflect board culture and be reviewed by fiduciary counsel before coming back for a second reading. Staff agreed to post the inbound‑communications tool to the board book and to incorporate the committee's feedback; the committee expects revised language and counsel input at the September meeting.

Next steps: staff will publish the inbound-communications reference in Diligent, revise the operative-principles draft to clarify public-comment response expectations, obtain fiduciary-counsel review, and return to the Board Governance Committee in September.