JEA, school board disagree over closed meetings
From the WCLO newsroom:
As negotiating teams from the Janesville Education Association and Janesville School Board prepare for their next contract bargaining session, the two parties disagree about one basic ground rule: whether the meetings should be open or closed.
JEA lead negotiator Jim Reif says his team wants open meetings to allow teachers and taxpayers to learn more about the process. He says it will also provide an unfiltered perspective for the media. Reif says one of the school district's own Studer Group Principles is that transparency builds trust.
Director of Human Services Steve Salerno says closed meetings can still build trust. He says it is standard practice to hold bargaining sessions in closed session. He says that way, either side isn't playing to an audience. However, the school board hasn't ruled out the possibility of holding negotiations in open session.
Reif says the JEA doesn't want to "get into a big fight" over the status of the meetings, because it is the school district's right to request the sessions be closed.
The next bargaining session is Wednesday.
Click here for an audio report.
Jun 1, 2009 at 11:43 a.m.
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Anything, I repeat ANYTHING that has to do with taxpayer dollars shoud be relayed to the public in 4 foot letters. Those who like to scurry around in the dark like rats should be treated as such.
Jun 1, 2009 at 11:38 a.m.
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What's wrong with having it open session? Why not show everyone what's going on? Both sides might be more honest and the media will get both sides rather than just one.
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Who cares if holding closed door meeting is "standard practice". If the idea of having them open makes sense then do it. Just because we carry on doing things the same old way doesn't make them right
Jun 1, 2009 at 11:21 a.m.
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If you read the Studer fine print, it may say, "opaque transparency."
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