Board of Education votes to enter closed session to consult counsel on litigation strategy

The Board of Education voted 5-0 to enter a closed session to consult with legal counsel about litigation strategy.

At a special meeting the presiding board member moved “that the board of education go into closed session, pursuant to Wisconsin state statute section 19.85(1)(g), for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved,” and called for a roll call vote.

The roll call recorded Board member Muldrow voting “Aye,” Board member Saravo voting “Aye,” Vice President Pearson voting “Aye,” Board member Vander Meulen voting “Aye,” and the presiding board member voting “Aye,” producing a unanimous 5-0 vote to enter closed session. No second was recorded in the public portion of the transcript.

The motion invoked Wisconsin statute 19.85(1)(g), the exemption that permits governmental bodies to consult with legal counsel about pending or likely litigation. The transcript provides the statute citation as stated by the presiding member; the board then prepared to proceed into closed session and the public portion of the meeting ended.

No additional public discussion, motions, or actions were recorded in the provided transcript after the vote. The transcript does not specify the date, the presiding member’s name, the subject matter of the litigation, or any planned public disclosures following the closed session.