Board moves into closed session to evaluate an individual’s professional competency

The Sioux City Comm School District board voted at a special meeting to enter a closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual who requested a private proceeding, the board chair said.

The chair moved that the board go into closed session “pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered,” and members approved the motion by roll call, the chair stated. Shanice, the clerk, called the roll as members answered present.

The motion cited the statutory authority allowing a governing body to meet privately to consider personnel matters when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to an individual’s reputation and when the individual has requested a closed session. After the roll-call vote, the chair announced, “Motion passes. We are now in closed session.”

Later in the meeting a member moved and a second was received to adjourn the closed session and return to open session; the chair announced the board was back in open session. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn the special meeting, which passed by voice vote, and the chair closed the meeting.

The board did not make any additional public statements about the subject of the closed session in the transcript, and no formal public action on the personnel matter was announced during the meeting.

Minutes and any formal actions related to personnel matters that are public record will be available through the district clerk’s office as required by law.