Following the law...to the letter
Today's (8/22/07) Citizen reported that the Gilford School Board has decided to better fall follow the Right To Know Law - RSA 91:
Gilford School Board to change nonpublic meeting process
The Gilford School Board is pledging to modify the procedure it follows for going into nonpublic session after being challenged by the news media.
I'm quite sure that the dustup of the Moultonborough Study Committee and Derek Tomlinson and Sue Allen may have added to the "push" to change their process, but I bet it was the Meadows Advisory Committee where Sue Allen was challenged by the Citizen reporter ("I'll give you a letter.") that sealed this deal. Often when flashlights are used and questions asked, processes change.
Good thing - after all, it is the law.School Board Chair Sue Allen and Superintendent Paul DeMinico made the pledge during Monday's School Board meeting. Allen said that, in the future, given the added focus on the state's Right-to-Know law, the board would be sure disclose the reasons for entering into nonpublic session, counter to what occurred at its last meeting.
[snip]
Frankly, it is my opinion that any public Board, Committee, or sub-group of either should resort to non-public session only if necessary and not just because they can. As publicly elected or appointed officials, all attempts possible should be made to do the public's business in public.But Attorney Paul Fitzgerald, who represents a number of local school boards, including Laconia, said that boards must give a reason for the nonpublic session, whether it be by citing a letter that corresponds to an exemption or simply paraphrasing the exception itself.
"The vote has to specifically identify the reason under the Right-to-Know law to enter into nonpublic session," said Fitzgerald.
It should make no difference what that business may be. It may well put officials in a bad light, reflect badly on a policy, whip up public opinion or anger over a bad decision, or tick off friends or spoil future activities. But that's why they were elected - to make the hard decisions in public.
It may be a late decision, but I appreciate it - thank you.
