Sioux City Community School District board meets in closed session to evaluate candidates who requested privacy

The Sioux City Community School District Board of Directors voted 6-0 Jan. 27 to enter a closed session to evaluate the professional competency of candidates who requested privacy under state law.

The board approved the special-meeting agenda by voice vote before taking up a motion to move into closed session "pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation," and "pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(a) to review or discuss records required or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential." The motion carried 6-0.

Board member Greenwell asked during discussion, "Do all of these potential candidates, did they request a closed session?" A district representative confirmed that candidates recommended by GR Recruiting had requested closed sessions and that the district had received those requests. The board also said legal counsel guided the wording of the motion to follow the statute.

The board then moved into closed session. Later in the meeting a motion to adjourn the closed session and return to open session passed by roll call vote; the meeting was adjourned after returning to open session.

The board opened the special meeting noting that public comment is not a regular part of special meetings under board policy 204.15. No public comments were recorded in the meeting transcript.