The county school board met in closed session 22 times over the past year, more than any other public body in the county, according to a Groundwork review of published agendas.
State open meetings law permits closed sessions for a narrow set of reasons: pending litigation, real property negotiations, and personnel matters among them. In at least six instances reviewed by Groundwork, the board cited "personnel" before emerging to take votes on matters that appeared to set policy affecting the entire district, including a change to the disciplinary appeals process.
The board president said each closed session followed legal advice from district counsel and that "nothing improper" occurred. A formal complaint has been filed with the state attorney general's open government unit.