It appears as if Peoria Unified School Board members could be in hot water again due to a violation of Arizona’s Open Meeting Law.
On Saturday, July 27th, the Peoria Women’s Club hosted a Peoria Unified School Board candidate forum attended by Governing Board Member President Becky Proudfit, Board members David Sandoval and Melissa Ewing.
Arizona’s Open Meeting Laws require a public notice of a possible quorum any time a majority of board members are present at a single event, this includes everything from graduation ceremonies to funeral services.
A photo obtained through Mikah Dyer’s public candidate page shows Governing Board Member President Becky Proudfit next to Board members David Sandoval and Melissa Ewing at the event at the same time while candidates discussed school board issues.
There was no public notice posting of the public meeting in violation of statute.
“That these board members – an eight year member, four term board president and current board clerk; the current board president; and a two year board member – have so little understanding of Open Meeting Law to attend an event at which in all likelihood issues confronting the board will be discusses without the appropriate, legal public notice is appalling at best,” said former Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas.
As of the time of publication, it is unknown if a formal complaint will be filed or by whom. Also, no Peoria Unified School District stakeholders provided quotes on the subject. It appears as if Peoria Unified School Board members could be in hot water again due to a violation of Arizona’s Open Meeting Law.
On Saturday, July 27th, the Peoria Women’s Club hosted a Peoria Unified School Board Candidate forum attended by Governing Board Member President Becky Proudfit , Board members David Sandoval, and Melissa Ewing.
Arizona’s Open Meeting Laws require a public notice of a possible quorum any time a majority of board members are present at a single event, this includes everything from graduation ceremonies to funeral services.
A photo obtained through Mikah Dyer’s candidate page showed Governing Board Member President Becky Proudfit next to sitting Board members David Sandoval and Melissa Ewing at the event at the same time while candidates discussed school board issues.
There was no public notice posting of the public meeting in violation of statute.
“That these board members – an eight year member, four term board president and current board clerk; the current board president; and a two year board member – have so little understanding of Open Meeting Law to attend an event at which in all likelihood issues confronting the board will be discusses without the appropriate, legal public notice is appalling at best,” said former Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas.
