Plainfield BOE Releases November and December 6th Executive Session Minutes, Just Don't Expect Much

This afternoon I finally received a copy of the Executive Session Minutes from the November and December 6th Plainfield school board meetings. 

Because the meetings are quite recent it can be expected that redactions will be made, especially if the discussions circle around confidential matters that are protected by OPRA regulations.

But the school board's redactor, which I assume is the lawyer, seems to sin of  "extreme caution".  I look at the redactions and the explanations for such and I know that there is plenty of room for improvement.  For the past few months I have been thinking on how to best approach this matter, the one of challenging the BOE's redactions.  My options include litigation, or perhaps approach any of the transparency organizations that work on opening government institutions to let the sun shine into their records.  I could also do nothing (quite tempting, trust me) or I can try a DIY approach.  Whichever way I decide to go will most likely will take time, mine and that one of the school board.  It will also cost money, to the BOE if they are found negligent, vs.  nothing or very little to me.   So, I'll think some more and weight my options.  I only wish the school board would take the time to learn what OPRA and OPMA regulate and that they would take a more simple approach to provide public information to the public.

Anyway.  Here are the Minutes that were provided to me and that cover the 2 meetings of the month of November and the one on December 6th, 2011.  Tomorrow, if the district keeps its word, recently approved settlements should be arriving to my mailbox.  OPRA has a seven day response due date but for whatever reasons OPRAs, my OPRAs, take longer than 7 days.  (If you have a problem viewing the document just click the link, that should solve the issue) 

Executive Session Minutes Plainfield BOE Nov and Dec 2011