Opinion ID: 1862034
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: June 2, 1997, Meeting

Text: McQuinn argues that the Board's actions during its regular meeting on June 2, 1997, did not constitute a reconvening of the hearing conducted on May 6 and that she did not receive statutory notice of any reconvened hearing. Brief for appellant at 30. From our review of the record, we agree that the hearing was never reconvened because it was concluded on May 6. The Board did not receive any new evidence or information on June 2, but merely continued its deliberations regarding McQuinn's contract in executive session and then went into open session to take formal action with respect to McQuinn's contract. The Board's regular meeting on June 2 was subject to the public meetings laws pursuant to § 79-554. The Board published notice as required by § 84-1411. In addition, the attorney for the Board sent two letters to McQuinn's attorney, dated May 23 and 28, 1997, advising that the Board would announce its formal action with respect to McQuinn's contract at the June 2 meeting. McQuinn's contention that she did not receive adequate notice with respect to the June 2 meeting is without merit. Finally, we address McQuinn's contention that the Board acted in contravention of her request for an open hearing when it went into executive session during its June 2, 1997, meeting before announcing its decision in open session. As we have noted, the hearing pursuant to § 79-834 was concluded on May 6 and was conducted in open session as requested by McQuinn. As permitted by § 79-831, the parties signed an agreement dated May 9, 1997, which waived the requirement that final action by the school district be taken by May 15 and continued the period for taking such action to June 15. The public meetings laws permit a public body to meet in closed session for various reasons, including [e]valuation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting, but requires any formal action regarding such matters to be taken in open session. § 84-1410(1)(d). The agenda for the Board's June 2, 1997, meeting included an item listed as  IX. Executive SessionPersonnel Issue (RE: Rene J. McQuinn). The board acted in conformity with § 84-1410(1)(d) by going into executive session to discuss the issue of McQuinn's continued employment and then returning to open session for a motion and vote with respect to the nonrenewal of her contract.