When is it permissible to have closed sessions of District Board Appointment Committees?
The law permits closed sessions only in the case of an appointment committee member having information about a candidate that would have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to. The fact that some damage may occur to an individual’s reputation is probably not sufficient, since the law requires a “substantial adverse effect.” Discussion in closed session can only involve the item that has a substantial effect. A vote to go into closed session must occur in open session and the appointment committee is required to return to open session to vote on the candidates. The appointment committee must notice the possibility of going into closed session during discussions of applicants’ qualifications. (See 85 Atty. Gen. 15; See also s. 19.85(1), Wis. Stats., for the criteria governing the permissibility for a public body to convene in closed session; for further guidance on holding closed sessions, please see Wisconsin Open Meetings Law: A Compliance Guide, pub
Related Questions
- What if the district committees charged with reviewing candidates for the permanent position find that a retiree is the person best qualified to fill the opening? May that person be selected?
- May a district with a targeted program serve eligible preschoolers in two half-day sessions instead of one full-day session?
- When is it permissible to have closed sessions of District Board Appointment Committees?
