Jefferson County board authorizes counsel to proceed on litigation strategy after closed session

The Jefferson County Board of Education voted to authorize board counsel to proceed with a recommended legal resolution strategy following a closed executive session on pending and proposed litigation.

The motion, made by Mr. Craig and seconded by Miss Strange, passed with the chair announcing, “Ayes have it.” Board members had earlier entered the closed session under Kentucky Revised Statutes KRS 61.810(1)(c), which permits private discussion of litigation matters when public disclosure would harm the district’s legal and financial interests.

The board began the meeting by moving into closed session. Miss Lister made the motion to enter closed session, seconded by Mr. Everett; members left to conduct the private meeting. The board returned to open session and, after discussion, voted on the motion authorizing counsel to take the steps outlined by legal staff in closed session. The board chair noted that no action had been taken while in closed session and then called for the authorization vote.

The board did not disclose details of the specific legal matters discussed, citing the statute’s protection for litigation strategy. The motion’s text in open session was summarized as authorizing “board counsel to proceed with the recommended legal resolution strategy outlined by counsel for the pending and post litigation materials identified in closed session and pursuant to counsel recommended terms discussed in closed session.” The transcript records the mover as Mr. Craig and the seconder as Miss Strange; the chair announced that the motion passed with an affirmative vote.

The board also adjourned at the end of the meeting with a separate procedural motion, and the chair noted that Mr. Bass participated remotely.

No further public details about the litigation or the counsel’s planned actions were provided in open session.