BOE Pres. O'Neill Says Open Meetings Act Violation was "Staff Mistake"

Maryland law states:

§3–211. (a) If the [Open Meetings Compliance] Board determines that a violation of this title has occurred: (1) at the next open meeting of the public body [In this case, the Board of Education] after the [Open Meetings Compliance] Board has issued its opinion, a member of the public body shall announce the violation and orally summarize the opinion; and (2) a majority of the members of the public body shall sign a copy of the opinion and return the signed copy to the Board. (b) The public body may not designate its counsel or another representative to provide the announcement and summary.

[ ] added to explain parties

At the February 10, 2015, Board of Education meeting, Board of Education President Patricia O'Neill announced the January 5, 2015, Opinion of the Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board citing the Board of Education for a violation of the Open Meetings Act.

BOE President O'Neill used her statement of the summary of the Opinion to blame "staff" for the violation.

On the date in question, the Board of Education gave only 2 hours and 8 minutes notice for an off camera meeting with a Panasonic Foundation consultant.

The violation of the Open Meetings Act is actually the responsibility of the Board of Education and the Open Meetings Compliance Board was very clear on how the incident should have been handled.  From the Opinion:

The full Open Meetings Compliance Board Opinion can be read at this link.

NBC4: Montgomery Co. School Board Terminates Government-Issued Credit Cards

Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education has voted to get rid of its own government-issued credit cards, after a large and embarrassing spending spree by its members.
Last month, News4 I-Team reported the school board's part-time members – who earn about $18,500 per year -- spent thousands of dollars of taxpayer money on pricey meals and hotel rooms.
Christopher Barclay, a school board member, charged more than 100 meals to taxpayers since 2010.
During a meeting Monday evening, Barclay apologized for repeatedly using the credit card to purchase dozens of meals at restaurants near district headquarters. Records show he also used the money for a hotel room and room service at the Washington Hilton.

"I am very conscious of the toll this has taken on the institution and my colleagues... and for that I am very sorry," Barclay said.

Records show multiple board members, including the board of education president, partook in a $500 dinner in Ocean City, funded by taxpayers...

 http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Montgomery-Co-School-Board-Terminates-Government-Issued-Credit-Cards-268975311.html

Starr never approved any of the BOE Expense Reports?

Take a look at the documents we were supplied by MCPS showing the expense reports of two Board of Education members.  Do you see Superintendent Joshua Starr's signature on any of those forms?  According to the current Board of Education Handbook all of those expenses were supposed to signed off by the superintendent or his designee.

Why isn't Superintendent Starr doing his job and providing oversight on these expense reports?

...The expense form is reviewed and signed by the chief of staff and the 

superintendent of schools (or his designee). Whenever possible, the 

expense form must be accompanied by appropriate itemized receipts 

and phone bills. Receipts for meal expenses must indicate clearly the 

names of meeting participants and an explanation of the purpose of 

the meal...

Page 37 of the Board of Education Handbook

MD Atty Gen: How to Appeal an Illegal Class Fee

From the Maryland Attorney General's office:

...we are safe in saying that anything directly related to a school's curriculum must be available to all without charge...

KameenOAGLetter