A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to reconsider its decision to seek a change in Tennessee law that would allow certain meetings to be closed to the public.

WHEREAS, the Tennessee open meetings laws, codified at Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-44-101, et seq., require that all public meetings of any governing body be open to the public at all times; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee Code Annotated § 8-44-101 declares it to be "the policy of this state that the formation of public policy and decisions is public business and shall not be conducted in secret"; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Board of Public Education recently decided to pursue a change in the Tennessee open meetings laws to make hearings regarding student discipline and employee dismissal, as well as performance evaluations for key personnel, closed to the public; and

WHEREAS, the open meetings laws, which have been in effect since 1974 in Tennessee, are vital in order for taxpayers to be adequately informed as to how the government operates and their tax dollars are spent; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Board of Public Education reconsider its decision to pursue a change in the open meetings laws.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to reconsider its decision to seek a change in Tennessee law that would allow certain meetings to be closed to the public.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Director of Schools Dr. Pedro Garcia, and to each member of the Metropolitan Board of Public Education.

Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Carolyn Baldwin Tucker, Vivian Wilhoite