Attorney General's News Release

October 31, 2000

Nixon sues Fox School Board for violating Sunshine Law

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today filed a lawsuit against the Fox School Board for 14 alleged violations of Missouri's Sunshine Law. The law specifies that meetings, records, votes and actions of public governmental bodies be open to the public and states when a meeting, record or vote may be closed.

Nixon claims in the lawsuit that the school board improperly discussed and voted in closed session to create two staff positions, and voted in another closed session to pay its secretary on a per meeting basis rather than monthly. The lawsuit, filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court, also cites 11 other instances when the board took votes in closed meetings without roll calls.

Nixon also alleges that the Fox School Board was in violation of the Sunshine Law when it failed to appoint a custodian of records until May 16, 2000.

Nixon is seeking a determination that the board violated provisions of the Sunshine Law and an injunction requiring the board to publicize the minutes of certain past closed meetings. The suit also seeks an injunction requiring the school board to adhere to all provisions of the Sunshine Law in the future.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818