SUPERINTENDENT’S REINTEGRATION COMMITTEE DOES NOT MEET THE STATUTORY DEFINITION OF A GOVERNING BODY

29 Sep SUPERINTENDENT’S REINTEGRATION COMMITTEE DOES NOT MEET THE STATUTORY DEFINITION OF A GOVERNING BODY

September 29, 2022

Issued to:  Minot Public School District No. 1

Request:  Did the Minot Public School District No. 1 violate the open meetings law by failing to properly notice a committee meeting?

Conclusion:  The Minot Public Schools Superintendent established a “Reintegration Committee” pursuant to MPS policy to assist him in developing a plan to address precautions and keep schools as safe as possible.  The Reintegration Committee contained no members of the Minot Public School Board.  The Reintegration Committee met numerous times and provided information to the School Board over the course of a year.  No notices or agendas were prepared or posted for the Reintegration Committee meetings.  The Superintendent established the Reintegration Committee as part of his administrative duties without the Minot Public School Board direction or involvement.  The same policy under which the Committee was created limited their actions to making recommendations for submission to the Board through the Superintendent.  Therefore, the Minot Public School District No. 1 did not violate the open meetings law because the Reintegration Committee does not meet the statutory definition of a governing body.

2022-O-13