Berkeley Heights BOE Executive Session Minutes

01/2023 through 06/2023

Below is a link to Executive Session Minutes from 01/2023 through 06/29/2023. We may never know whether the contained redactions are appropriate. Although items related to negotiations once completed can be disclosed. We can reasonably guess that the negotiations listed in the minutes might be with the BHAA based on review of regular meeting agenda and minutes from the same time period.

One insight as to potential over-redaction (in addition to the known over-redaction on responsive documents to OPRA requests) connects to an entire subject line being redacted. The 3/30 Minutes tell us nothing other than Dr. Varley and Frances said something about some stuff.

Other evidence of over-redaction may involve legal matters – there appears to be little uniformity in the redactions applied. Why are some items completely redacted, others partially redacted and still others in full view?  This raises a question when we consider all the issues surrounding the District’s responses to OPRA requests – was the designated OPRA custodian properly trained?  He also currently holds multiple supervisory and administrative leadership roles and concerns were raised as to probable conflict of interest given the position’s access.

Aside from the the District’s OPRA issues, OPMA (Open Public Meetings Act) violations are not new in the District. The District recently had to abide by a defacto settlement with the Union County Prosecutors Office. Since then, it’s been an up-and-down battle.

Executive Session Minutes

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