Iowa Freedom of Information Council Wins Iowa Open Meetings Act Lawsuit Against School Board

The Iowa Freedom of Information Council (IFOIC) successfully litigated against a local school board for violations of the Iowa Open Meetings Act. Representing the IFOIC, Faegre Drinker argued that the local school board violated the Act by holding a closed-door session to discuss the resignation of a high school guidance counselor and baseball coach after allegations arose that he had an inappropriate relationship with at least one female student.

Following a bench trial where Faegre Drinker attorneys examined ten witnesses on topics such as how the meeting was called, the lack of notice and the deviation from the stated purposes of the closed session, the court ruled in favor of the IFOIC. The court found there was no factual basis for the board’s contention that they had met to discuss only the professional competence of the employee as the board members had discussed other issues in the closed session related to the terms of the employee’s resignation, avoidance of lawsuits and other potential post-resignation complications. The closed session was followed by a mere one-minute open session in which the resignation was approved without public discussion. The court awarded the IFOIC fees and costs of just over $113,000.