Left, Board Member Kim Shirek (seated, left) objected to the school board’s decision to enter into closed session at the beginning of last week’s meeting. (City-Times photo)

By Brandi Makuski

The Stevens Point Public School Board last week came under fire by two of its own members, who repeatedly argued entering into closed session at the beginning of the regular monthly meeting was against board policy.

The board was slated to discuss the possible sale/trade of the Emerson School property with the City of Stevens Point and a legal consultation on an undisclosed matter, as well as agreements with the Stevens Point Area Educators Association and janitorial staff.

Under state law, closed- session discussions are used when any governing body has to discuss proprietary or financial issues.

But Board Members Kim Shirek and Lisa Totten say holding the closed session only moments after the public meeting began at 6:30 PM on a Monday evening wasn’t fair to the citizens who were in attendance, and go against board policy which dictates the order of board meetings.

“I just think it would be nice to explain to the community why we’re moving things around,” Totten asked just after the board voted to enter into closed session. Totten said closed session meetings are typically held at the end of a meeting, after the public was able to participate at a reasonable hour.

“Because if you don’t understand why this is happening, then you might take this as a sign of disrespect to the public,” she added.

Board President Terry Rothmann tried to explain the change.

“We have two issues tonight, one of rather weighty financial issues. Many of you (in attendance) know these meetings have been running long and we need to make these decisions at a much earlier time,” Rothmann said.

“And another thing is, Mr. (Board Member Jeff) Ebel has a prior commitment and must leave, and we do need his input as we deal with some of these closed- session issues. I expect this to be the exception, but we felt it was important that we do so tonight. We’re not trying to be disrespectful of anyone in the public, but we do have business we must transact.”

The explanation wasn’t enough for Shirek, who continued to press the issue that change was against the board’s own policy.

“Basically, I believe we’re going against our policy on the agenda format,” Shirek said, adding she had emailed Rothmann prior to the meeting for clarification. “You said the word, ‘typically’ is in (board policy) someplace. Where is the word ‘typically’ in our policy? Because, again, we’re not following our own policy.”

Rothmann said the word he used in his explanation was “normally”, but regardless of which word was used, the policy does allow for the board to change format providing the majority of members agree, which is why a roll call vote is required before the board can enter into closed session.

“Okay,” said Shirek, who chuckled and shook her head. “So we follow the policy when we want and we don’t have to when we don’t want to?”

“Kim-,” Rothmann began, but then only said, “thank you,” attempting to end the dispute.

“Well, you’re welcome,” Shirek replied, laughing.

School Board Policy 171 does not specify any accepted order for board meetings, though it does dictate “Only agenda items included on the public notice will be considered” for board discussion.

One item relating to Superintendent Attila Weninger’s performance evaluation was pulled from closed session discussion- something Totten said she had a hand in after calling the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Totten said she made the call because she didn’t think the superintendent’s evaluation could legally be discussed in a closed- session environment.

Rothmann said a discussion relating to the process and timeline of the superintendent’s evaluation would be discussed openly, but the actual evaluation would happen during closed session at the next regular board meeting on July 8.

The entire school board policy can be found here.