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Board member seeks statutory interpretation on alternative learning; counsel offers closed‑session briefing
Summary
During the March 30 meeting a board member asked for interpretation of cited statutes concerning local boards' roles in alternative learning programs; the board attorney said legal advice is provided in closed session and offered to provide that briefing to the board.
A board member asked the board to obtain an interpretation of cited statutes relating to the local board of education’s role in alternative learning programs while noting ‘‘Mr. Campbell’’ was present and could provide input.
The member read or referenced several statute citations during the interruption, quoting the text as it appeared in the meeting record: "general statute 1 15 c 42 32 a and 1 15 c 1 0 4 47 a, 5 b" and asked for Mr. Campbell’s take on how those provisions outline the board’s role.
The board attorney responded that he had provided the opinion previously through normal channels and clarified the board’s process for legal advice. He said, "As the board knows, I give legal advice in closed session, and then we decide what can then be discussed in open session. So I'm happy anytime the board wants to go into closed session to talk about legal opinions on any issue." He added he was "more than happy" to do that and left the decision to the board.
No formal vote or decision to go into closed session was recorded in the provided transcript excerpt. The request and the attorney’s offer to brief the board in closed session were entered on the meeting record for later action by the board.
