1987-08-03 School Committee Minutes

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READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Call to Order 251 AUGUST 3, 1987 Chairman George Shannon called the meeting of the Reading School Committee to order at 7:37 p.m. on August 3, 1987 in the Superintendent's Conference Room at 34 Gould Street. All members of the School Committee were present. Also present were the Acting Superintendent, Robert J. Munnelly, Town Counsel Ted Cohen, parents, and a reporter from the Chronicle. Citizens' Input There was no citizens' input. Review of Open Meeting Law with Town Counsel Dr. Munnelly stated that Ted Cohen was present that evening to review the Open Meeting Law with the School Committee. He noted that Mr. Cohen had reviewed correspondence from the D.A.'s office and the Central Office in regard to violations which allegedly occurred at the School Committee's meeting of June 10, 1987, and would share his observations. Mr. Cohen - thanked the School Committee for scheduling this extra meeting and stated that he had reviewed the materials and the proposed agreement sent by the D.A.'s office in regard to the alleged violations of the Open Meeting Law. He stated this situation was not a unique one, that many area city and town boards had recently been in the same situation. Mr. Cohen stated , it was a good practice to review the Open Meeting Law periodically in order that violations could be avoided. Mr. Cohen stated that the Open Meeting Law required that every meeting of a Governmental Body must be open to the public. He noted that most every board in Town Hall was considered a Governmental Body. He stated the only exception would be perhaps a chance meeting of two members, but only if they were not deliberating or coming to conclusions on an issue.. Mr. Cohen also stated that this regulation also applied to most sub - committees, unless they could be proven to be only factfinding bodies. He noted that a quorum was necessary for any committee to make a decision and a majority of members voting was needed to go into Executive Session. Mr. Cohen noted it was necessary when going into Executive Session that the reason be stated for doing so and whether the committee would be returning to Open Session.