Milwaukee Board votes 5-0 to enter closed session to consider employment matters

The Milwaukee Board of School Directors voted 5-0 on Jan. 15 to retire into closed session to consider employment matters, including employee performance and personnel investigations, citing Wisconsin statute 19.85.

The meeting, convened at the Central Services Building, was called at the request of President Missy Zomber. The board’s public notice listed the meeting time as 6:30 p.m. and the item of business as "action on consideration of employment matters that require a closed session." The secretary read the notice and stated that public testimony would not be taken at the special meeting.

A motion to retire to closed session "pursuant to Wisconsin statute 19.85," which enumerates topics such as employment, promotion, compensation, performance evaluation data, and certain disciplinary or medical histories, was read aloud at the meeting. The motion was moved and seconded; the record shows the motion was seconded by Director Reza. The roll call vote recorded "aye" votes from Director Herndon, Director Reza, Director Seemson, Director Vanoy and Chair Zommer, for a 5-0 tally, and the motion passed.

Chair Missy Zomber announced, "The board will now retire to closed session." The board said it may return to open session only to take action on matters discussed in closed session. The meeting was being broadcast on a YouTube stream and noted on the MPS upcoming meetings page; WYMS 88.9 FM had a broadcast issue the evening of the meeting.

The meeting packet and attachments were made available via the district’s Meetings, Agendas and Minutes page. No votes on specific employment actions were recorded in the open session minutes; any formal action on matters discussed in closed session would be reflected later if the board returned to open session and took action.