CONDUCT OF EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Executive Session meetings shall be conducted in accordance with RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (The Open Meetings Law). By open call, The School Committee may hold a meeting closed to the public upon an affirmative vote of the majority of its members. A meeting closed to the public shall be limited to matters allowed to be exempted by law from discussion at open meetings. The vote of each member on the question of holding a meeting closed to the public, the reason for holding a closed meeting, and a statement specifying the nature of the business to be discussed, shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the meeting.

All votes taken in closed sessions shall be disclosed once the session is reopened; provided, however, a vote taken in a closed session need not be disclosed for the period of time during which its disclosure would jeopardize any strategy, negotiation or investigation.

The School Committee may hold a meeting closed to the public for one or more of the following purposes:

1. Any discussions of the job performance, character, or physical or mental health of a person or persons provided that such person or persons affected shall have been notified in advance in writing and advised that they may require that the discussion be held at an open meeting. Failure to provide such notification shall render any action taken against the person or persons affected null and void. Before going into a closed meeting the public body shall state for the record that any persons to be discussed have been so notified and this statement shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting.

2. Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation.

3. Discussion regarding the matter of security including but not limited to the deployment of security personnel or devices.

4. Any investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct, either civil or criminal.

5. Any discussions or considerations related to the acquisition or lease of real property for public purposes, or the disposition of publicly held property wherein advanced public information would be detrimental to the interest of the public.

6. Any discussions related to or concerning a prospective business or industry locating in the state of Rhode Island when an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the interest of the public.

7. A matter related to the question of the investment of public funds where the premature disclosure would adversely affect the public interest. Public funds shall include any investment plan or matter related thereto, including but not limited to state lottery plans for new promotions.

8. Any executive sessions of the School Committee exclusively for the purposes (a) of conducting student disciplinary hearings or (b) of reviewing other matters which relate to the privacy of students and their records, provided, however, that any affected student shall have been notified in advance in writing and advised that he or she may require that the discussion be held in an open meeting.

Failure to provide such notification shall render any action taken against the student or students affected null and void. Before going into a closed meeting, the School Committee shall state for the record that any students to be discussed have been so notified and this statement shall be noted in the minutes of the meeting.

ADOPTED: April 5, 1999