RELEASED JULY 2, 1990

OPINION NUMBER 90-300

90-B-4 - PUBLIC MEETINGS

A quorum of a committee of the school board meeting to receive information on a matter over which it has supervision, is subject to the open meetings law.

Ms. Karen P. Poirrier, Superintendent

St. James Parish School Board

P.O. Box 338

Lutcher, LA 70071

Dear Ms. Poirrier:

This office is in receipt of your request for an opinion of the Attorney General.  Your question, as I understand it, is as follows:

Are administrative meetings scheduled by the Superintendent to solicit input from advisors, fellow professionals, community personnel, parents and students to assist in the decision-making process subject to the open meeting law?

This office has stated that the Open Meetings Law  applies to "the convening of a quorum of a public body to deliberate on a matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power". This includes any committee or sub-committe so long as they possess "policy making, advisory or administrative functions."  R.S. 42:4.2.  While the open meeting requirement does not apply to strictly a discussion group which makes no policy suggestions or gives any advice, when the administrative committee is convened to receive information regarding a matter over which they have supervision, it is subject to the open meetings law.  Since the deliberations will constitute an element in the formulation of public policy, the intent of the open meetings law could be frustrated if such meetings are closed to the public when a quorum of the committee has been convened.

We hope this sufficiently answers your question, but if we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely yours,

WILLIAM J. GUSTE, Jr.

Attorney General

BY:

BARBARA B. RUTLEDGE

Assistant Attorney General

BRB:atb