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Training is the least that should happen at Madrone Trail By Mail Tribune Editorial Board Jul 20, 2022 12:00 AM A A The Oregon Ethics Commission’s lenient treatment of public meetings law violations by Madrone Trail Public Charter School board members may not please everyone, but the outcome does offer hope that similar transgressions can be avoided in the future. The commission began an investigation in January after then Executive Director John Bissey file a complaint alleging violations of state public meetings law involving an executive session Jan. 14 to discuss conflicts between Bissey and the board. This month, the commission issued final stipulated orders for seven current and former board members. The commission determined that the board did not meet the requirement that notice of executive sessions be issued at least 24 hours in advance. The commission also found that during the Jan. 14 executive session, the board discussed matters beyond the scope of the meeting’s purpose, another violation of state law. Oregon public meetings law spells out the circumstances under which a body may hold executive sessions and what may be discussed behind closed doors. Evaluating the performance of a chief executive officer is among the specific topics that may be discussed in an executive session. The body in question may discuss such an evaluation, but no vote may be taken. The body must return to open session first. The commission found that the violations were not “willful or intentional,” but urged the board to be more responsible with executive sessions in the future and become more familiar with the law. Board Chairman Erik Johnsen said he doesn’t think the board “violated the spirit of the laws,” and said he has been exploring opportunities for board training sessions with state officials regarding public meeting rules. That’s the least that should happen. It is the responsibility of board members of any charter school, school district or other public body to know and follow state public meetings rules. The law is in place to make sure members of the public, whose taxes pay for schools and other services, can observe the workings of the government that does the public’s business. Board members should know the law, but the presiding officer, in this case Johnsen, must provide leadership to the other members. Johnsen’s excuse — that “when you have a discussion in real time, you can’t really dictate what comes out of people’s mouths” — is not convincing. If a member makes a statement or brings up an issue not permitted to be discussed in an executive session, it is the chairman’s responsibility to stop that discussion immediately and warn board members to follow the law. More training is certainly called for in this case. Going forward, new board members should receive training in public meetings law before beginning their service.