The school board has a policy about meeting structure that requires the superintendent and board chair to work together to set the agenda. This week’s agenda includes an executive session warned for a personnel matter near the end of the meeting.
During the open portion of the meeting, a reporter from the local newspaper asks the chair who was being discussed in executive session. The chair responded that she could not reveal the name of the staff member without violating confidentiality requirements.
During executive session, a request from a teacher for an unpaid, one-year leave of absence is presented by the superintendent. The teacher wishes to accompany his spouse who would be completing college graduate studies out of state. The superintendent recommended approving the request because the staff member has been with them for five years and is an excellent teacher. The board discusses the matter briefly and informally agrees to grant the request.
Prior to leaving the executive session, a board member asks to discuss a telephone call received from a parent who wishes to remain anonymous but was concerned about swearing in the classroom by one of the science teachers. Another board member adds that she also has heard negative comments from students about this teacher’s choice of language in class.
The chair points out that this discussion is not appropriate for the session as it was not warned for a student matter. The chair clarifies that by policy of the board, the parental concern should be directed to the school administration for review. A future executive session may be necessary if the investigation reveals that board review is appropriate.
The board emerges from executive session and approves an unpaid, one-year leave of absence for William Jones for the ’03-04 school year.
Was this a legally permissible executive session?
Should the question about the science teacher have been allowed?
Should the reporter have been given a general description of the executive session topic?
Does your board have a policy about the use of executive session?