The Observation Deck

Treasurer Rick Berdine wrote:A Special Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Board of Education, Curriculum Conference Room, 1470 Warren Road, Lakewood, Ohio for the purpose of an Executive Session to discuss a personnel item, the employment of a Public Employee, and any other business that may come before the board.

Matthew John Markling wrote:an Executive Session to discuss a personnel item, the employment of a Public Employee, and any other business that may come before the board.

dl meckes wrote:

Matthew John Markling wrote:an Executive Session to discuss a personnel item, the employment of a Public Employee, and any other business that may come before the board.

I would guess that "Executive Session" means closed to the public, which would be appropriate when discussing personnel issues. Certainly the time of the meeting would exclude the public...

I do not understand what "any other business that may come before the board" means in this context.

Is this a public meeting or not? Is the board discussing non-personnel issues behind closed doors?

dl meckes wrote:

Matthew John Markling wrote:an Executive Session to discuss a personnel item, the employment of a Public Employee, and any other business that may come before the board.

I would guess that "Executive Session" means closed to the public, which would be appropriate when discussing personnel issues. Certainly the time of the meeting would exclude the public...

I do not understand what "any other business that may come before the board" means in this context.

Is this a public meeting or not? Is the board discussing non-personnel issues behind closed doors?

Matthew John Markling wrote:The “and any other business that may come before the board” language allows the Board to consider issues that may have arisen since our last meeting and need to be considered before our next meeting. If it is not a matter for executive session, it will be considered in public and in open session.

I am currently unaware of “any other business that may come before the board” that is currently scheduled to be discussed at our August 24, 2010 special meeting as our current practice is to have such items placed on the agenda by the Board President and Superintendent. However, I attempt to regularly place these notices on the Deck so everyone is given the opportunity to attend the meeting in the event an issue does need to be considered in public during the open session portion of the meeting. There are times that issues arise at the last minute.

dl meckes wrote:

Matthew John Markling wrote:The “and any other business that may come before the board” language allows the Board to consider issues that may have arisen since our last meeting and need to be considered before our next meeting. If it is not a matter for executive session, it will be considered in public and in open session.

I am currently unaware of “any other business that may come before the board” that is currently scheduled to be discussed at our August 24, 2010 special meeting as our current practice is to have such items placed on the agenda by the Board President and Superintendent. However, I attempt to regularly place these notices on the Deck so everyone is given the opportunity to attend the meeting in the event an issue does need to be considered in public during the open session portion of the meeting. There are times that issues arise at the last minute.

Yes, that is pro forma language, but still, it should be cause for public concern when public servants schedule meetings based on what is convenient for themselves and not what is convenient for the general public.

Apparently the Board is not interested in having the public attend the public portion of the meetings.

At least that's how I see it.