Community High School District 99’s Board of Education needs a refresher course in adhering to the law.
The state Open Meetings Act mandates public bodies to conduct their business in open session. The only exceptions to this are for personnel, property acquisition and litigation issues.
The School Board called a special meeting April 27 and adjourned into closed session to discuss “the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees.” This describes what’s covered under personnel issues.
But we suspect this isn’t the only thing board members talked about behind closed doors. They discussed a district policy, and such deliberations must be open.
Board President Julia Beckman indicated as much when she said, “We have been in closed session to discuss the relationship of our nepotism policy and certain employees.” So, the focus of the closed session was on how the district policy is and — most likely — should be applied.
John Wander, a teacher and the head football coach at Downers Grove North High School, is the brother of incoming board member Deborah Boyle. Seeing that she will be the only board member with a relative who works for the district, we’re assuming the closed session centered on them.
Regardless, any talk of district policy cannot be cloaked under personnel issues. Board members violated the law, and they should give the details of their discussion.
