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Trustee calls for more transparency Catholic school board to vote on motion to disclose nature of private discussionsDanielle Sachs Northern News Services Published Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Once an in-camera session is completed, a brief overview will be given describing what was discussed in order to provide the public with some explanation, according to a motion submitted by board vice-chair John Dalton. Briefly discussing the in-camera items would make sure they're recorded in the minutes, so even people not in attendance at the meeting have a chance to read up on what happened. According to the proposed changes in the procedure for in-camera meetings, the topics to be discussed will be listed on the agenda, said Dalton. The motion was introduced at last Friday's meeting. The motion hasn't gone through first reading yet although trustees unanimously approved it for a vote at its next board meeting in the new year. Dalton said in the past there was no way to ensure members were following the correct policy. "The intent is just to clean that up and be a little more accountable to our ratepayers and publicly state our discussions," he said, during the regular board meeting. The Yellowknife Catholic school board came under fire early this year for attempting to dismiss two senior employees, superintendent Claudia Parker and assistant superintendent of learning Johnnie Bowden. The decision was withdrawn after a public outcry. The new board, elected during the municipal elections in October, is trying to make sure it is as transparent and as open as possible, without violating the confidentiality procedures of in-camera meetings. Another motion was introduced, also by Dalton, that requires all votes to be recorded, once again so there is a record available for people not able to attend the meeting. "Only dissenting votes would be recorded," said Dalton. "But you would be able to see who voted what by looking at the role call in the minutes."
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