Springfield School Committee votes to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation

Mister Collins moved that the Springfield School Committee enter executive session to discuss strategy with respect to pending litigation, citing Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21, exemption 3, and the committee approved the motion on a roll-call vote.

The motion was introduced during routine roll call. According to the meeting record, Collins said, "I'll make a motion we enter into executive session pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 30A Section 21 exemption 3 for the purposes of discussing strategy with respect to pending litigation." A second was recorded and the moderator said a roll-call vote was required.

During the roll call the clerk recorded the following votes: Mister Gonzales — yes; Mister Collins — yes; Miss Gresham — yes; Miss Hearst — yes; Mayor Sarno — yes. Vice Chair Naylor was recorded absent; the committee noted she was at a work conference and had sent regrets (the transcript reads "sends her threats," which appears to be a transcription error). The moderator announced, "This matter passes."

The committee cited the statute authorizing executive sessions for discussions of strategy regarding pending litigation. No details about the subject of the litigation, the parties involved, or any timetable for returning to open session were provided in the transcript.

The committee prepared to move into executive session; the record indicates the group intended to return to open session afterward but does not specify when that would occur.