PLACENTIA : Trustees to Censure Those Leaking News
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District trustees this week approved a new policy that makes the release of confidential or privileged information by board members punishable by public censure.
Board members voted 4 to 1 Tuesday to implement the policy, which covers confidential or privileged information such as personnel matters, lawsuits, student expulsions or other issues that trustees discuss during closed sessions. It is a misdemeanor under state law to release information from closed sessions without the approval of the majority of a school board.
The new policy was proposed as part of an update of the district’s bylaws. A statewide school boards association had recommended that districts consider provisions for release of confidential information.
Trustee Barbara S. Williams voted against the policy because most other district bylaws do not contain descriptions of punishments if they are broken. In addition, she said administrators, not only elected officials, should be included as well.
“Board members are not the only ones involved in these types of discussions,” she said.
But Trustee William Kielty said staff members can be suspended or fired, making censure unnecessary.
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