Open meetings suit filed against the Montgomery Board of Education

A former candidate for superintendent has sued the Montgomery County Board of Education alleging violations of Alabama Open Meetings Act.

In his suit, Clay Slagle, claims the board met in secret during the selection process and later in discussing the superintendent’s performance. Slagle currently serves as chief operations officer for Montgomery Public Schools.

Slagle alleges that on Nov. 16, the seven-member board met in sub groups to avoid a quorum to discuss the performance and goals of the superintendent as well as other items concerning public funds and public education. The board held a special meeting the next day and voted 7-0 to approve goals and objectives for the superintendent.

The suit claims the Alabama Open Meetings act was intentionally violated with the use of serial meetings to avoid a quorum.

A second part of the suit claims four members of the board met together in June to discuss the selecton of a superintendent.

The Alabama Open Meetings Act prohibits discussions when a quorum is present of issues that are expected to come before the body at a later date. The law also prohibits the discussion of an individual’s job performance if the person is an elected or appointed public employee.