JUNE 3, 2009
Algiers Parents and Pastors Sue Algiers Charter School Association
Open Meetings Law Violated, Plaintiffs Say
As part of its "Project Transparency: NOW YOU KNOW" campaign, Louisiana Justice Institute (LJI), on behalf of several local ministers and parent representatives, filed suit against the Algiers Charter School Association and its Board of Trustees for holding two "invitation only" public meetings--on May 19 and May 21, 2009--in violation of the Louisiana Open Meetings Law.
Parents and community leaders found it particularly disturbing that these "invitation only" meetings were convened purportedly to gain public input on the selection of the next Chief Executive Officer to run this charter school district, and to interview the candidates. The Algiers Charter Schools Association is comprised of 9 schools on the westbank of Orleans Parish.
In the case the plaintiffs, Rev. Arthur Wadsworth, Pastor Patrick Keen, and Alec Selico-Dunn, request the Court (1) issue an immediate temporary restraining order directing defendants to immediately cease and desist from taking any further actions concerning the selection of a chief Chief Executive Officer for ACSA until such time as legally convened public meetings are noticed to gain the public input defendants acknowledge is required by law; (2) mandate the Board of Trustees of Algiers Charter Schools Association convene no less than two public meetings, properly noticed pursuant to the Louisiana Open Meetings Law, to ensure ACSA gain public input for the selection of its Chief Executive Officer; and (3) issue Declaratory Judgement that the Louisiana Open Meetings Law had been violated in that (a) the May 19, 2009 and the May 21, 2009 meetings were convened in violation of the Louisiana Open Meetings Law and any actions taken as a result of these meetings, including receipt of information, is illegal and void and (b) Defendants are prohibited from moving forward with any actions associated with the above-described meetings.
"I cannot believe school districts continually demand accountability from parents, yet the Boards shun transparency and are not accountable to the communities they serve," stated Rev. Arthur Wadsworth, one of the plaintiffs in the action.
Pastor Patrick Keen, another plaintiff, spoke from the perspective of a grandparent raising a school aged student attending one of the Algiers Charter Schools. "Not one member of the Board of Trustees has a child or grandchild attending one of our schools. Charles Rice, the President, has his children in private schools. So tell me why he has a greater right to sit and interview the candidates who could potentially run our school district than a parent who is actually invested in the district. Why are these Board members so hostile to parents?"
The lawsuit is Rev. Arthur Wardsworth, Rev. Patrick Keen, and Alec Selico-Dunn vs. Algiers Charter Schools Association, Inc. (ACSA), and the Members of the Board of Trustees--Charles Rice, Elsie Rose, Glenn Orgeron, Cassandra Bookman, Stephanie Bridges, Mark McNamara, and Donna St. Louis, individually and in their official capacity, Case No. 09-5737, in the Civil District Corutfor Orleans Parish, and can be found here.
Project Transparency is part of LJI's ongoing campaign to provide a double edged sword of accountability by public officals and our citizenry who must continue to engage themselves in order for our democratic processes to be representative and work fully and equitably.
