Horseheads Central School District board moves into exempt session for legal advice

The Horseheads Central School District Board of Education voted on March 19 to enter an exempt session to receive legal advice from district counsel, attorney James Gregory of the firm Farrer Verendev.

Board members heard Gregory recommend an exempt meeting where attorney-client privilege would apply. “My recommendation is the board go into an exempt session under public officer's 0 8 where attorney client privilege attaches and I can give you legal advice,” Gregory said.

A motion to enter the exempt session was made and seconded (mover and seconder not specified in the transcript). During a brief roll call on the motion, two board members said, “Aye. Aye.” When asked for opposed votes a board member said, “No,” and another added, “I am also opposed.” Following the vote the presiding board member said, “So there'll be no action in the exempt district action in the exempt sessions, and there'll be no district action after the exempt session is concluded,” indicating the board did not intend to take formal district action either during or immediately after the closed discussion.

The transcript records Gregory advising the board about the legal basis for an exempt session, quoting the phrase “public officer's 0 8.” The board proceeded to go into the exempt session to receive counsel; the transcript does not record any substantive matters discussed inside the exempt session or any subsequent formal actions.

The meeting began as a special work session of the Board of Education and included a ceremonial Pledge of Allegiance before the board turned to the question of legal advice and the exempt session. No additional agenda items or votes are recorded in the provided transcript excerpts.