The Idaho State Board of Education has issued this response to Attorney General Lawrence Wasden’s investigation of an open meeting complaint against the board:

The State Board of Education accepts the findings and recommendations of Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, and would like to express its tremendous respect and appreciation for the work done by Attorney General Wasden and his staff. The Board intends to thoroughly review the report and findings.

The report, which is available on the Attorney General’s website, concludes among other things, that while the Board’s actions may have constituted a non-knowing violation of the Open Meeting Act, it does not give rise to the penalties provided for in the Act. No decision was made in the December 6, 2007 executive session; therefore the remedy under the Act to void a Board action is inappropriate. The summary also says the Board’s minutes setting forth the reasons for past executive sessions may have been too broad, and the Board should avoid including such broad provisions in their future minutes.

The Board reiterates its ongoing commitment to open government, and believes its practices support this commitment. The Board Office publishes Board meeting agendas on line in advance of its meetings with all supporting documents and materials for the public to review. The Board also takes additional efforts to ensure access for all Idahoans by holding regular meetings in different areas of the state. Finally, the Board provides toll-free telephone access to enable our citizens to listen to all the Board's special telephonic meetings.

The Board is fully committed to serving the public in the most open and transparent manner possible and acknowledges that there is always room for improvement. The Board welcomes Attorney General Wasden's suggestions for accomplishing this goal.

---

---