Milwaukee Board of School Directors votes to enter closed session to consult legal counsel on litigation

The Milwaukee Board of School Directors voted 6-0 to retire to closed session to consult with legal counsel about pending or probable litigation.

Chair Ferguson opened the virtual special meeting and, joking that "This is a gavel from StorySchool, and I'm using it today just for this meeting," asked the board to dispense with opening items and consider moving into closed session. The secretary read the call of the meeting, noting it was requested by President Missy Zomber and stating the board would consider action to retire to closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes chapter 19.85(1)(g) "for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel with respect to pending or probable litigation matters." The secretary also said public comments would not be accepted for this meeting.

Director Reza moved that the board retire to closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(g); Director Herndon seconded the motion. The secretary called the roll on the motion. Directors Fonz, Herndon, O'Halloran, Reza and Benoit voted "Aye," and Chair Ferguson also voted "Aye," giving the motion six ayes. One director was recorded as not available; the secretary announced, "That's 6 ayes," and declared the motion passed.

Chair Ferguson then stated the board would retire to closed session and said the board may return to open session to take action on matters discussed in closed session or, if not, adjourn from closed session. The secretary was asked to note the time and the board left the public portion of the meeting.

The action taken at the public meeting was limited to the procedural vote to move into a closed session under Wisconsin law; no substantive discussion of the litigation matters occurred in public and no public comments were taken.