Al, chair of the Marblehead School Committee, moved that the committee meet in executive session and read the statutory citation aloud, saying the committee would meet “pursuant to chapter 30 a section 21 a 3 purpose 3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with unit a of the Marblehead Teachers Association as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares.”

He also said the committee would discuss “threatened litigation by a former administrator as an open meeting may have detrimental effect on the litigating position of the school committee and the chair so declares.” Al stated the committee did not intend to return to open session.

Following a motion and second, the committee voted 4-0 to enter executive session. Jen, Henry, Kate and Al were recorded as voting in favor; Al announced the motion passed 4-0. Al asked whether Thatcher would join the executive session; he confirmed Thatcher planned to join the meeting.

A committee member noted they had spoken with the state ethics commission about possible conflicts and that written advice can take 30 days, but phone advice is considered functional. A disclosure of an appearance of conflict was submitted to the town clerk and noted as public record during the discussion.

No bargaining strategy details or litigation specifics were discussed in open session; those matters were set for the executive session and the chair stated the committee did not intend to return to open session.