A resolution requesting the Tennessee General Assembly to retain the existing Open Meetings Act provisions applicable to local boards of education.

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 requested the Tennessee School Boards Association 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 to request the Tennessee General Assembly to oppose any changes in the open meetings laws that would keep some meetings closed to the public.

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 Tennessee General Assembly to retain the existing Open Meetings Act provisions applicable to local boards of education.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.

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

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred:	Education Committee
Introduced:	December 19, 2006
Deferred:	December 19, 2006
Substitute Introduced:	January 16, 2007
Adopted:	January 16, 2007
Approved:	January 17, 2007
By: