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Bridgeport school board receives Freedom of Information Act training from state commission
Summary
Russell Blair, director of education and communications for the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, gave the Bridgeport Board of Education a two‑hour training Jan. 15 on the Freedom of Information Act, covering public‑meeting notices, records requests and exemptions.
Russell Blair, director of education and communications for the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, gave a training to the Bridgeport Board of Education on the Freedom of Information Act on Wednesday, Jan. 15, outlining meeting and records requirements, notice timelines and common exemptions.
Blair told the board that FOI “is the law” and emphasized the commission’s role as an independent enforcement and education agency: the commission investigates complaints, can subpoena witnesses and, in some cases, nullify votes taken at improperly noticed or held meetings. “We can nullify votes that were taken out of meetings,” he said, warning that such orders can require boards to repeat prior votes.
The presentation covered the two main parts of FOI: meetings and records. Blair summarized the meeting rules the board must follow, including the definition of a meeting (a quorum convened to discuss or act on board…
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