More questions arise over board of education closed sessions

Some are questioning whether there is a valid basis for any extended closure of today’s Kentucky Board of Education meeting, as appears to have been planned.

Two statutes govern closed sessions in Kentucky:

• The Open Meetings Act, http://www.lrc.ky.gov/KRS/061-00/810.PDF


• And a section of the Open Records Act, http://www.lrc.ky.gov/KRS/061-00/878.PDF, which is incorporated by reference.

Can the board legally keep the meeting closed while discussing - not the relative merits of candidates - but the process they are planning to follow?


The Courier-Journal recently objected to a closed session which Chairman Keith Travis seemed to shrug off.


But Saturday's meeting has a lot at stake. Objections could be louder. And since the penalties for a violation, as set out at 61.848(5): include the possibility that any action taken in an improperly closed session can be voided - and since there are already groups forming to support one candidate or oppose another - a mistake now, could prove to be yet another body blow to the board.


Folks can (and will) disagree about who's the best candidate for interim commissioner. But nothing will unify opposition and criticism of the Kentucky Board of Education more than perceived law violations in support of perceived secrecy.


The best way to put rumors to rest is to let the public see the board acting in an open and professional manner.