North Santiam SD 29J board approves agenda, recesses into executive session on confidential student records

The board of directors for North Santiam SD 29J approved its meeting agenda by voice vote and then recessed into an executive session to consult with the district attorney and review confidential student records, the presiding chair said.

The special session was called to order at 6:01 p.m. The chair told those present that the meeting was open to the public for open-session items and available via a YouTube livestream, but that the board would go into a closed executive session for attorney consultation and to examine records exempt from public inspection.

Board members moved and seconded approval of the agenda and the motion passed on a voice vote. The chair then explained that the board would first meet with legal counsel before hearing a complaint, and said that executive sessions typically admit only the parties to a complaint, designated staff, invited guests and news media. "No board action may be taken in executive session," the chair said, and then recessed the meeting into a closed session under Oregon law.

The chair cited the statutory basis for closing the session for confidential records and attorney consultation. The chair also advised that the current livestream would end and that a new live stream link for the second part of the meeting would be posted on the district website.

The meeting noted that six of seven board members were present and that a remote member, Mark Henderson, was expected to join remotely and would be noted in the record upon arrival. No formal board action on agenda items was taken in the executive session portion, as the chair emphasized that executive sessions are for consultation and review only.

The board did not announce any votes or personnel actions in open session before recessing; the meeting was recorded as a special session and the board returned to closed executive session at the end of the open portion.