Skip to main content
Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

Fisher: Would your school board vote on a capital plan without notifying the public?

In this July 2017 staff file photo, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson, left, and board members Steve Highlander, center, and Karista Mosely Jones take part in a Hamilton County Board of Education meeting.
In this July 2017 staff file photo, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson, left, and board members Steve Highlander, center, and Karista Mosely Jones take part in a Hamilton County Board of Education meeting. In this July 2017 staff file photo, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson, left, and board members Steve Highlander, center, and Karista Mosely Jones take part in a Hamilton County Board of Education meeting.

By Deborah Fisher 8 min read

If there’s one type of governing body that generates the most open meetings questions to my help line, it’s school boards.

So let’s put ourselves in the shoes of a school board member for a moment and consider the following scenario.

I hope it will provide you some ideas the next time you ask a school board candidate where he or she stands on government transparency. Instead of allowing the stock answer, “I’m pro-transparency,” how would your potential school board member react in this situation?

Four months ago, the school board hires a new superintendent. He immediately faces a list of overdue capital improvement projects. Some schools need extensive repair or renovation. Others are overcrowded and desperately need more space. Parents want better athletic facilities.

The Board of Education has not spent significant money for capital improvements in years. Finally, the County Commission passes a tax increase and said it would commit $100 million to the school district to help fund school construction and repairs.