The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-05-22
Executive Sessions

There may be justification at times for so-caed
executive sessions of public body authorized to consider
and decide upon matters of general public interest Certainly
however there appears to be tendency OF such organ
cations carry these star
When body charged with public business considering
question which have definite bearing the public
ere it would that its right hold executive session
be logically questioned would reasonable
that citizen particularly interested in the ISSUE
should be free to listen what its decision
is arrived at and nterpose objection he desired
long he did in courteous and otherwise
a interested enough hearing by public
body question: it probable at least possible that
his opinion be of value the members the admnsra-
tive body
recent meeting of the board of education is open to
criticism because of the extent of executive sessions held
The DR. Simmons former president the State unver
sty for discussion nasmuch the board well
informed of the attitude of the people generally of the state
that question: executive session barring casual listeners
when consideration of questions of law and possible reflection
the character and qualifications of Dr. Simmons have
had to- be considered might have justified closing the doors
to the public However another question was considered
which we do not believe justified the board in closing the
doors
Applicants for the position superintendent of the Boys
Industrial School Miles City
meeting Of the board A committee of three had been ap
pointed at previous session to consider the qualifications OF
various applicants and to report its findings the board
This done but apparently this committee had found that
outofstate the only who the necessary
qualifications according to the committee
The board them executive session, agreed to follow the
committees recommendations but apparently also authorized
committee to later approve the appointment
cted No information of this action by the board given
out far known smacks lot of delaying until any
cheat" cooled down. before the appointment So
known outside of privileged to
be present when deberated the question of appointment
of the selected
The issue of executive sessions aside odd
to the people of the state that the committee felt
to New York state for that found in
the state qualified for the job is understood that the age
of Montana applicant who otherwise acceptable was
considered bar the committee wanted make that
getting the job would be able to hold it for Is
This just past his middle age, but hale and hearty
The committee the board did clear they
able to raise the veil of the future that any
applicant selected would be guaranteed to remain healthy
active and able to discharge the duties of that job any other
for Is years.
The selected be outstanding expert in the
administration of position such the Miles City job We
don't know And aside from the members of the of
education 1T probable that few people in the state know
thing about him, except that he from New York state Will
the board of education inform the people what
caons he possesses that could any person
the state of Montana? would be of interest
far POLITICAL religious personal prejudice influenced the
committee.
We do not charge that the committee dishonest in it's
endations But insist that it time that
chamber" sessions abolished in the consideration the
publcs business We submit that when appointment
important the discussed to be made that the people
of the state entitled to know all about the character
quafic atoms of the selected They how
their representatives this and any other board agency
function. q
Are they not entitled to make this demand? The state r
suffered the from actions taken by this
board It's people cannot be for keeping eye
it and all other concerned with administration
of their affairs. q
The Voice will gladly publish full official
lions taken by the board of education other state
1t suspicious of executive sessions generally and
actions taken in such auc councils They obnoxious
open and above-board, democratic procedure v