During a recent meeting of the Saint Tammany Parish School Board, significant concerns were raised regarding the legality and transparency of an executive session held to discuss collective bargaining with the Federation of Teachers and School Employees. A speaker highlighted that the session, conducted under the pretext of strategy discussions, was unnecessary since a tentative collective bargaining agreement (CBA) had already been reached and signed on June 26, 2024.

The speaker argued that the board's decision to hold the executive session violated the open meetings law, which allows such sessions only under specific circumstances, such as ongoing negotiations or litigation that could be adversely affected by public discussion. The contention was that the board should have openly discussed the rejection of the CBA and the creation of an employee handbook, which had not been previously addressed in public forums. This lack of transparency, the speaker asserted, could render the board's actions null and void.

In response, board member Brandt Osborne acknowledged the emotional toll of the previous meeting and emphasized the need for improved communication and collaboration moving forward. He expressed regret over the handling of the agenda and called for a more structured approach to avoid future misunderstandings.

Teachers and union representatives also voiced their frustrations regarding the current state of education, citing declining conditions and the impact of policies on their ability to teach effectively. They underscored the importance of collective bargaining as a means to advocate for necessary changes in the educational environment.

The meeting concluded with a call for unity and a commitment to work together to address the challenges facing educators and the school district. The board is expected to revisit the collective bargaining agreement in an upcoming session, with hopes of ratifying the agreement and fostering a more collaborative atmosphere.