Unless I am missing something, the Lamar R-1 Board of Education violated the Sunshine law during its last meeting.
The Lamar Democrat's account of the story indicates the board went into closed session and when it emerged, it voted to give Superintendent Dennis Wilson an extra week of vacation in lieu of a pay increase. The Sunshine Law permits boards to meet in closed session to discuss hiring, firing, promoting, or discipline.
Wilson had already been hired. There is no talk of firing him; in fact, from all appearances the board has been happy with Wilson's performance. He is not being promoted; he is already the top dog.
And you certainly don't discipline someone by providing him with an extra week of vacation, even if he is not going to get a salary increase.
This is a discussion that should have been held in open session. School boards and city councils make the mistake of assuming that anything involving "personnel" can be discussed behind closed doors. Not only are boards limited in what they can discuss, but the law does not mandate that they go into closed session even to discuss hiring, firing, promoting, or disciplining. It only says boards "may" do so.
2 comments:
Why would anyone want to serve in public office when crap like this is written? Either file your lawsuit and make the district spend tens of thousands on legal fees and damages (instead of on our kids) or shut the f up. I don't see you running for office Turner.
It seems as if I struck a nerve. I never suggested that a lawsuit be filed. This was a minor matter, but when a board or a council gets in the habit of violating the law on minor matters, believe me, the habit is not going to change when major situations occur. The law is not that complicated.
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