Portsmouth blogger files Open Meetings complaint over School Committee action

Video of the action taken at the Jan 11 meeting.

PORTSMOUTH -- Local blogger John McDaid has filed a complaint with the RI Attorney General's office over actions taken by School Committee Chair Cynthia Perrotti at last week's meeting.

The complaint focuses on the announcement of a search committee to replace the departing Superintendent, and identifies three specific issues with the agenda item, which was posted only as "Appointment of Subcommittee."

The complaint argues that appropriate notice was not given because of the wording, that inadequate time is allowed for public response, and that the use of a private e-mail box for submissions raises Open Records concerns. The full complaint is attached.

Download PDF of the complaint.

Video from the School Committee meeting on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmtA5w1ua6E

Full disclosure: In the 2010 election, I was a candidate for Portsmouth School Committee.

Comments

I really don't like the use of her personal email address for official business. How is anyone supposed to know whether all the applicants are brought to the whole school committee for consideration (Oh, yours must have been caught in my spam filter!)...

I was sitting here wondering whether Cynthia Perrotti did this deliberately as some sort of power play, or whether it was an innocent act of bad judgment. I decided it doesn't matter. If the interests of the public are harmed because she acted badly, it doesn't matter if she acted badly on purpose or by mistake... she still needs to be brought into line and made to do it right.

I'm glad you're watching, Mr. McDaid. Keep up the vigilance.

Thank you for filing this complaint. I am wondering if she is planning to put teacher, administration, and union representation on the committee as has occurred in past hiring committees for superintendent. Has anyone checked to be sure that she has unilateral power within the charter to make the decisions about who serves on this committee? Is this her intent?

English