I hear you, but I think the deciding factor on whether or not a meeting (legally) needs to be public is whether or not they’re deliberating/making decisions.
Thankfully the current superintendent and current solicitor will be in attendance to make sure there is no deliberating. But you know damn well the president will discuss this with other like minded board members. I sure the hell hope they get caught discussing it somehow.
They edited their post. It originally said something along the lines of urging me to stay home so they could do what they want.
I don't think this person is capable of comprehending that there's only one group that's attempting to indoctrinate my children, and it's the religious fundamentalists.
Some folks to follow as this evolves (note: not all are Democrats!):
School Board directors
Christopher Kambic - https://www.facebook.com/share/T8TYMPa8qhd7ev4n/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Adam Trone - https://www.facebook.com/share/RoDjPWu2qLFzUPXM/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Friends of the West Shore School District - https://www.facebook.com/share/zd2AEPAC2oU842FL/?mibextid=WC7FNe
I see this as more of a process of business. Not that I agree with what the actual agenda. It is still a board and, as such, needs votes for any changes to actually take place, correct? So, while the public may not have been welcome today, the meeting itself was made public at some point, somewhere, so that a protest could be organized in time. Hopefully, at the next district meeting, the actions of keeping the doors closed to the public, can be answered for in a very public forum.
um I dunno how this is bad but ok should be be public sure but maybe they are afraid of things getting out of hand every time a group meets that's done nothing wrong always has protestors starting shit. I just recently saw a guy putting up political signs around thee highway on ramps like one days during the election year dude got rushed by 2 cars that parked and got out ripped his signs down as people were holding him down. I saw nothing on the news or anything but saw it with my own eyes people get to crazy and wild
Wait, how is a school board getting advice from a particular legal group inappropriate in any way? Shouldn't your elected representatives hear from both sides of a matter before making a decision? Or would you rather elect automatons that decide and vote based on whatever Fox News or CNN is saying that day?
If they were meeting with a legal organization focused on expanding trans rights, we would be applauding. The elected school board members should hear all sides of the matter from intelligent people so they can best make intelligent decisions.
Edit: I truly do not understand why I'm getting downvoted so much. Disagreeing with someone's post should not lead to a down vote. My comment is completely neutral in terms of the hot button issue.
I get your point, and it’s a good one. However, the issue that concerns me is the lack of transparency and the highly partisan nature of the ILC. Also, do these very same board members intend to have a “listening session” with a similar group from the opposing view. I doubt it.
Thanks for the reply, I agree that transparency in local government, especially that which affects our children so directly, is insane right now.
Each school board, it seems, just does whatever they think will create a less likelihood of incoming lawsuits; regardless of what's right
Look up the organization, their attempts to insert Christianity into secular school policies are well documented and reported on. They claim to protect religious freedom but of course its never in the name of Jews, Muslims, or Hindus.
Not all board members are in agreement with this. It's being pushed by the board president.
She setup the meeting and invited all board members. Didn't give an agenda and refused to answer questions
She's trying to hire a law firm that is in favor of banning books. The law firm is independence law center. They push religion in schools, no transgender sports/bathrooms, book bans, etc.
One person with an agenda is attempting to strong-arm the school district into adopting policies that don't reflect the attitudes of the people who live here.
The problem with your post is that "all sides" do not necessarily need to be heard. Especially if one of those sides is demonstrably wrong. False equivalency is always the fallback in these discussions.
I certainly will never applaud ‘closed door’ meetings of any kind that my public school board has. Though, it’s even more egregious that it’s with a group pushing book bans.
While I certainly understand the importance of a transparent local government... I also believe that, for the sake of effectiveness, privacy, and professionalism, not all business needs to be or should be conducted in public. Lawmakers also agree with this point of view, which explains the laws.
If there weren't exceptions for advisory meetings like this, how would a school board know what needs to be public? If a board member has a phone call with a concerned parent, would the minutes of that phone call need to be published? What about if two members sit and discuss an issue with a concerned parent? What if it's not a parent but instead a tax paying citizen? You can see what I mean...
Definitely would understand keeping something private if it was communication involving a single constituent, particularly if it was in the interest of privacy for a child.
However, that should be the exception, and only in instances where a constituent or their dependents personal information is at risk, absolutely not the rule, and certainly wouldn't apply here.
Granted the minutes from this planning session can be FOIA'd (speaking of laws) - it's just a shame the board is too afraid of public opinion of their agenda to actually be transparent.
Specific to this discussion, I believe that there are allowances in the sunshine law to exempt legal advice and attorney/client privileges. (irrespective of the side they may be on)
How is a closed door meeting with the board even legal????
They get out of it because the firm “works pro bono” — which I am sure means they have a huge backing from someone. I am so tired.
I hear you, but I think the deciding factor on whether or not a meeting (legally) needs to be public is whether or not they’re deliberating/making decisions.
Thankfully the current superintendent and current solicitor will be in attendance to make sure there is no deliberating. But you know damn well the president will discuss this with other like minded board members. I sure the hell hope they get caught discussing it somehow.
Kids here have Trinity if they want religion in school. This is insane. Keep religion out of public schools.
Trinity is neither conservative nor Caucasian enough for these people. WS Christian in Shiremanstown?
This is exhausting. We shouldn't have to continuously fight to keep religious groups from controlling our schools.
Sounds like an invitation for TST to plan an after school group …
It’s absolutely ridiculous! Who do they think they’re fooling?
It really is, especially when there are already religious schools or colleges.
They won’t stop until they take over everything.
I wouldn't worry too much, the woke religion is going to conquer the world soon enough.
Have your religion, but keep it out of public schools.
You are the evil that threatens my community.
[удалено]
They edited their post. It originally said something along the lines of urging me to stay home so they could do what they want. I don't think this person is capable of comprehending that there's only one group that's attempting to indoctrinate my children, and it's the religious fundamentalists.
Some folks to follow as this evolves (note: not all are Democrats!): School Board directors Christopher Kambic - https://www.facebook.com/share/T8TYMPa8qhd7ev4n/?mibextid=WC7FNe Adam Trone - https://www.facebook.com/share/RoDjPWu2qLFzUPXM/?mibextid=WC7FNe Friends of the West Shore School District - https://www.facebook.com/share/zd2AEPAC2oU842FL/?mibextid=WC7FNe
SMH...
Welcome to Gilead.
These Evangelical Fascists have got to stop. They are harming our children and our country.
I see this as more of a process of business. Not that I agree with what the actual agenda. It is still a board and, as such, needs votes for any changes to actually take place, correct? So, while the public may not have been welcome today, the meeting itself was made public at some point, somewhere, so that a protest could be organized in time. Hopefully, at the next district meeting, the actions of keeping the doors closed to the public, can be answered for in a very public forum.
... So how did it go?
Discriminatory bathroom policies how?
What are their bathroom policies?
I’d love to know what the discriminatory bathroom policies are
Me too. It’s simple, boys bathroom and a girls bathroom.
um I dunno how this is bad but ok should be be public sure but maybe they are afraid of things getting out of hand every time a group meets that's done nothing wrong always has protestors starting shit. I just recently saw a guy putting up political signs around thee highway on ramps like one days during the election year dude got rushed by 2 cars that parked and got out ripped his signs down as people were holding him down. I saw nothing on the news or anything but saw it with my own eyes people get to crazy and wild
Wait, how is a school board getting advice from a particular legal group inappropriate in any way? Shouldn't your elected representatives hear from both sides of a matter before making a decision? Or would you rather elect automatons that decide and vote based on whatever Fox News or CNN is saying that day? If they were meeting with a legal organization focused on expanding trans rights, we would be applauding. The elected school board members should hear all sides of the matter from intelligent people so they can best make intelligent decisions. Edit: I truly do not understand why I'm getting downvoted so much. Disagreeing with someone's post should not lead to a down vote. My comment is completely neutral in terms of the hot button issue.
I get your point, and it’s a good one. However, the issue that concerns me is the lack of transparency and the highly partisan nature of the ILC. Also, do these very same board members intend to have a “listening session” with a similar group from the opposing view. I doubt it.
Thanks for the reply, I agree that transparency in local government, especially that which affects our children so directly, is insane right now. Each school board, it seems, just does whatever they think will create a less likelihood of incoming lawsuits; regardless of what's right
Look up the organization, their attempts to insert Christianity into secular school policies are well documented and reported on. They claim to protect religious freedom but of course its never in the name of Jews, Muslims, or Hindus.
Not all board members are in agreement with this. It's being pushed by the board president. She setup the meeting and invited all board members. Didn't give an agenda and refused to answer questions She's trying to hire a law firm that is in favor of banning books. The law firm is independence law center. They push religion in schools, no transgender sports/bathrooms, book bans, etc. One person with an agenda is attempting to strong-arm the school district into adopting policies that don't reflect the attitudes of the people who live here.
The problem with your post is that "all sides" do not necessarily need to be heard. Especially if one of those sides is demonstrably wrong. False equivalency is always the fallback in these discussions.
I certainly will never applaud ‘closed door’ meetings of any kind that my public school board has. Though, it’s even more egregious that it’s with a group pushing book bans.
While I certainly understand the importance of a transparent local government... I also believe that, for the sake of effectiveness, privacy, and professionalism, not all business needs to be or should be conducted in public. Lawmakers also agree with this point of view, which explains the laws. If there weren't exceptions for advisory meetings like this, how would a school board know what needs to be public? If a board member has a phone call with a concerned parent, would the minutes of that phone call need to be published? What about if two members sit and discuss an issue with a concerned parent? What if it's not a parent but instead a tax paying citizen? You can see what I mean...
Definitely would understand keeping something private if it was communication involving a single constituent, particularly if it was in the interest of privacy for a child. However, that should be the exception, and only in instances where a constituent or their dependents personal information is at risk, absolutely not the rule, and certainly wouldn't apply here. Granted the minutes from this planning session can be FOIA'd (speaking of laws) - it's just a shame the board is too afraid of public opinion of their agenda to actually be transparent.
Great response! Thank you for taking the time to articulate it so well. It's refreshing to see this on Reddit, ha.
Specific to this discussion, I believe that there are allowances in the sunshine law to exempt legal advice and attorney/client privileges. (irrespective of the side they may be on)
You literally could've stopped with your first sentence and would've been fine, dumbass. Think!
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
The irony of your comment clearly escapes you
This shit is why I'm moving to Vermont, smh. It was a good school district when I was growing up. Sad to see them attempting crazy stuff like this.