Superintendent committees clarified as advisory; board seeks legal confirmation on open-meetings rules
Summary
The board approved superintendent-led advisory committees (policy, safety, technology, finance, health and wellness) and board member assignments, while one member asked for legal confirmation that committee meetings comply with Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22.
The Stow-Munroe Falls board voted on Jan. 6 to confirm superintendent committees and board assignments to those groups, while asking administration and legal counsel to confirm that committee practices comply with Ohio open-meetings law.
Superintendent Dr. Gould told the board the committees are superintendent committees—not board committees—and are therefore advisory to the superintendent. She said committees are led by cabinet directors, typically include two board members, and produce summaries for the website rather than formal minutes and notices. "These committees are not board committees. These are superintendent committees because they advise the superintendent," Dr. Gould said, adding that legal counsel had been consulted.
Board member Sheehan raised concerns that ORC Section 121.22 appears to apply to any "board, commission, committee, council, or similar decision-making body" and asked whether supervisory committees should post notices and maintain meeting records like a formal board committee. Sheehan asked for legal confirmation because of previous litigation concerns.
Why it matters: The distinction affects notice, documentation and compliance with Ohio’s open-meetings and public-records laws. If a body functions as a board committee, it may trigger formal notice and minutes requirements; if advisory to the superintendent, it may follow different administrative practices. The superintendent said the districts followed a public application and selection process for committee membership and that recommendations from committees are advisory only.
The motion to confirm committee structure and board assignments passed 3–1. The board requested a written statement from board counsel clarifying the distinction and explaining how pop-up notices on the website and other meeting artifacts are preserved as records.
Ending
Administration committed to follow up with board counsel and return with a written statement and recommended practices for posting and archiving committee notices and summaries.
