Detroit school board votes to move into closed session to consider legal opinion

The Detroit Public Schools Community District board voted during a special public meeting to convene a closed session to consider a written legal opinion under the Michigan Open Meetings Act (MCL 15.268(h)). The chair announced the intent to move into closed session after taking public comment.

The chair asked for and entertained a motion to enter closed session to review a legal opinion. The motion was seconded and a roll call was taken; the board approved entering closed session and limited the room to board members and legal counsel. The transcript records affirmative roll-call responses but does not provide a full, named roll-call tally in the public portion.

The board had approved the meeting agenda earlier in the session by voice vote before taking public comment. Public comment immediately prior to the closed-session vote included questions from residents about a proposed millage and whether taxpayers’ funds would be returned if schools were later closed. No public responses explaining disposition of funds were recorded before the board left for closed session.

By moving into closed session under MCL 15.268(h), the board is following the statute that allows a public body to consider written legal advice in private. The public portion of the meeting ended after the vote to go into closed session; the transcript does not record any further public actions.