GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Groveport Madison School Board filed a lawsuit against two of its own members, alleging their actions risk the board's compliance with Ohio's public meeting laws.
The board is suing members John Kershner and Kathleen Walsh, who it claims disrupted a Safety Committee meeting and refused to leave. The board said this put them in violation of public meeting laws. The meeting already had two other board members in attendance.
With five members on the board, any meeting that involves three or more of its members falls under the Ohio Open Meetings Act and is required to have meeting minutes available to the public, and the public must be informed of the meeting at least 24 hours in advance.
In the lawsuit, the board said it never assigns more than two of its members to any administrative committee for that reason. The board said this allows for informal discussions on issues "without those early ideas being immortalized in published meeting minutes" and saves the district money because somebody doesn't have to record minutes.
The Safety Committee is comprised of parents, teachers, district and school administrators, and other community members. The goal of the committee is to improve safety within the district.
Board President Seth Bower and fellow member Libby Gray volunteered in January 2024 to serve on the committee. Kershner and Walsh said at the time they had conflicts of interest that would prevent them from serving on the committee, according to the lawsuit.
Without paper mill, toxic underground plume could rise and spread in ChillicotheAt a June 25 meeting, both Bower and Gray were in attendance at the committee meeting, which was their responsibility. As the meeting began, Walsh walked in and sat down, identifying herself as a board member during introductions, the lawsuit alleges.
Gray said that Walsh would have to leave the meeting in order to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Walsh claimed she was invited to the meeting and was going to stay, but the board said she was not invited, adding that she and Kershner were only copied on an email sent by the deputy superintendent that contained the meeting agenda.
Gray again told Walsh that her remaining presence at the meeting would create a violation of the law. Walsh left the room.
Kershner entered the meeting room shortly after and "interrupted the ongoing discussion" while shouting and pointing at Bower and Gray, the lawsuit alleges. Kershner also claimed all board members had been invited to the meeting. Kershner also refused to leave the meeting.
Fearing for the safety of the attendees and to avoid an Open Meetings Act violation, the lawsuit says Bower asked the deputy superintendent to adjourn the meeting. Bower also requested police presence at all future meetings to ensure safety.
VIDEO: Teens charged, baby safe after Grove City police pursuitThe lawsuit claims Walsh and Kershner knew that Bower and Gray were the two members designated to serve on the committee.
The board is asking the court to bar Kershner and Walsh from attending future meetings for committees in which they are not assigned. The board argues that if the two continue to attend, the committee's work will be effectively halted.
Last year, Walsh and Kershner sued the other board members and accused them of holding secret committee meetings.
Walsh and Kershner’s prior complaint pointed to multiple instances dating to July 2023 in which, they claim, the board’s actions flout state requirements for meetings of public bodies. Many centered around proper record-keeping of board meetings.
Court records show that case was dismissed Tuesday after it was resolved in mediation. The records do not disclose what resolution was agreed to.
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