Goodrich- The short notice given for a March 19 school board meeting scheduled to review the superintendent drew the ire of some residents and teachers.
Joy Moll, administrative assistant to superintendent Kimberly Hart, said public notice for the meeting was posted on March 18 at the school.
‘Why would any meeting, especially one of such high community interest, be posted at such short notice,? asked teacher and president of the Goodrich Education Association, Cathie Horan.
The Open Meetings Act states public notice for a special meeting of a public body stating the date, time and place of the meeting must be posted at least 18 hours before the meeting.
A majority of available seating was filled at the meeting, despite the brief notice, a change of time to 4:30 p.m. from the traditional 6 p.m. board meetings and an agenda consisting of only one new item? described as ‘periodical personnel evaluation?? which was conducted in closed session. Approximately 40 people were in attendance.
Closed session ‘which takes place in an area removed from the public? for the purpose of the review, took place from about 5- 7 p.m. It was never announced who was being evaluated, though it was later confirmed it had been Hart.
‘There is concern over the superintendent’s evaluation, and the public does not want to act like they are not concerned because they are,? said Linda Jackson, a retired teacher who has lived in the community for 40 years.
During the portion of the meeting allotted to public comments, several residents and teachers voiced their displeasure at the short notice given for the meeting.
Horan said she had inquired about the possible meeting several times during the week, after fielding phone calls from curious parents and community members.
‘Our concern was why wait till the last minute? said Horan. ‘We would just like to have heard information like that.?
Horan added she was unaware what the meeting was about, but the abrupt scheduling made it seem as though something important might be about to take place.
‘We wondered what was so important that (the meeting) would be scheduled the day before (it was to occur),? said Horan.
Board President Michael Tripp said the late notice was due to conflicting issues in his personal schedule.
Suzanne Taylor, a parent and a volunteer for the school district, said she was upset about what she interpreted as an ongoing lack of communication.
‘This is an ongoing issue with the board. It’s not necessarily that one particular meeting. This has been…like a three year issue for me,? said Taylor.
Taylor said she was upset with the way the meeting was handled, even if it was done so legally.
‘They followed their rules, they followed the law…but was it right? Just because the rule is there and you’re following it ? did you do it in good faith? Was it right what they did?? asked Taylor. ‘I was upset that it was posted on a Sunday. I was upset that they handled it that way…especially with all the things that are going on right now in the school district.?
Jackson, a school board candidate, also voiced her frustration at the meeting.
‘I think the community felt they were in the dark as to the calling of the meeting. Usually they post meetings well in advance, and I have never heard of them posting a meeting on a Sunday,? said Jackson.
‘The community was watching for it on Friday. … A lot of people looked Friday and looked Saturday even,? said Jackson.
Jackson said she thought many in the community were further confused by the fact the posted notice for the meeting was dated March 16, leaving many with the impression the meeting had been planned at least two days sooner than implied.
‘To me, people read it as they didn’t want the public to know they were doing it. If they had opened the meeting and done some simple explaining, it could have set everybody at ease, but they didn’t do that,? said Jackson.
Vice-president Kenneth Rappuhn said while he was aware there would be a meeting, he didn’t know it would be a public meeting, and was concerned by the way short notice for such a meeting would be perceived by the public.
‘The last thing I ever want to do is give the public the impression we aren’t trying to communicate with them,? said Rappuhn.
Jackson said she heard similar arguments from other board members, who seemed unaware the meeting must first be opened before entering into closed session, therefore inviting the public to meeting.
According to the Open Meetings Act, a board may enter into closed session for personnel evaluation if the person being evaluated requested it be conducted as such.