The board members of the Williamsburg Independent School District here demonstrate their lack of understanding of — if not outright disdain for — the Kentucky Open Meetings Act.
These issues are well-settled in the law.
No closed session unless authorized by one or more statutory exceptions found at KRS 61.810(1)(a) through (m). There is no exception for discussion of mask mandates. https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=48229
No secret ballots. KRS 61.835. https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=23051
No final action in closed session. KRS 61.815. https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=23045
"After speaking on the telephone with the board's attorney, Paul Croley, Superintendent Tim Melton told the board that Croley said, 'He said, he didn't see any draw back in us doing it in open session.'"
There but for the intervention of agency counsel . . . .
In late June, the attorney general issued his updated guide to open meetings and open records to school district superintendents and school board attorneys, among others, for distribution to all elected and appointed officials in the district.
https://ag.ky.gov/Priorities/Government-Transparency/orom/Pages/alert.a…
Apparently, some board members have chosen to ignore the guide which by now they have surely received.
By openly flouting the legal requirements governing their conduct at public meetings, the board compromises the interests of the community it serves, exposes itself to statutory penalties, and undermines the public's right to know.
