No longer will viewing a Lehighton Area School District board of directors meeting actually require being there in person.

Lehighton’s board on Monday night approved the purchase of equipment to livestream its meetings on the district website.

The motion passed 8-1, with Director Wayne Wentz dissenting, and the cap for funds spent on the equipment was set at $2,000.

Director David Bradley, one of many Lehighton residents who have recently pushed for an official district livestream, applauded the move.

“District policy 011 requires us to have the ability to engage stakeholders and get their input,” Bradley said on Monday. “By livestreaming, people can watch us from the comfort of their home and review it at their own leisure. That is the benefit it would provide for the parents and children to see how government works.”

Bradley went on to say residents have claimed they don’t come to meetings in person for a fear of retaliation.

While she supported the motion to purchase the livestreaming equipment, Director Rita Spinelli called Bradley’s statement, “The most ridiculous thing I have heard in my whole life.”

Fellow board member Joy Beers went further, saying “Residents have said they feel physically unsafe in this room.”

Earlier in the meeting, resident David Krause questioned if the funds could be used elsewhere.

“In the 14 years or more I have been coming here, I don’t recall anyone coming and suggesting an urgency or an interest in broadcasting or livestreaming meetings,” Krause said. “I haven’t seen any information presented as to the value of this to kids or our educational programs. I think there should be more discussion there. That $2,000 could go to help students, and that may serve us better.”

Barbara Bose, who regularly attends Lehighton board meetings, said the livestreaming is an advantage for those who can’t make it.

The money, she added, is a “drop in the bucket” compared to other expenditures the district has made.

“You’re spending $186,000 on new tennis courts and spent $6 million on a new stadium,” Bose said. “This is $2,000 to make the community happy. I think it is important for the people.”