The Traverse City Record-Eagle newspaper has filed a lawsuit naming the Traverse City school board and the school board president, after the board allegedly did not comply with Michigan transparency laws.
According to the Record-Eagle, in October, the board had a closed meeting to discuss the departure of former superintendent, Ann Cardon.
The newspaper argues this goes against the Michigan Open Meetings Act and that the information should be made public through the Freedom of Information Act.
“We believe elected boards have a duty to make decisions in the public view and follow both the letter and the spirit of Michigan’s transparency laws,” Record-Eagle editor, Nathan Payne said. “This action is in affirmation of our foundational duty to ensure parents, students, employees and taxpayers have access to records and decisions made on their behalf.”
Payne said the paper has been through a long process of requests, re-requests and appeals in seeking information about the former superintdent’s departure.
“We hope to earn the release of information that would educate the public on decisions made by the board during the past handful of months,” Payne said.
The school district has declined to comment, on advice of legal counsel.
Payne said the district has 21 days to respond to the complaint.
The complaint was filed last Friday, Jan. 24.
