MASON CITY – The State of Iowa Ombudsman Office has found grounds to warn the Mason City School District for violations of open records laws.
A concerned citizen – who wishes to remain un-named at this time – on November 5th, 2013 reported the Mason City School District to the Iowa Ombudsman’s office for publishing minutes from meetings well past the date that Iowa law mandates.
According to an email from Angela McBride, Assistant Ombudsman, at least five violations took place in 2013 involving the publication of school board meeting minutes. One violation involved the publication of meeting minutes 52 days after the meeting took place. Iowa law mandates meeting minutes be published in a newspaper within 14 days.
“After receiving the complaint,” McBride wrote in an email, “I made inquiry with the Superintendent [Anita Micich] and she acknowledged the errors, and explained that it may have been because the regular secretary was on medical leave. She also said that the meeting minutes do not get formally approved until the next meeting; therefore, publication within two weeks has always been problematic.”
The email also reveals that “the Superintendent had been admonished recently in Clear Lake” for open records irregularities or violations. According to the email, Mrs. Micich “agreed to publish the meeting minutes as required by Iowa law in the future.”
Explaining perhaps the most serious violation of open records laws, McBride wrote that “the July 15, 2013 meeting minutes highlight the seriousness of getting the meeting minutes published on time. At the July meeting the Board of Directors voted to approve a resolution ordering the election on the question of levying a voter approved PPEL property tax. I believe this could have cast doubt on the fairness of the election since the meeting minutes were not published until September 4, which was just 6 days before the election and the same day [that] the Commissioner of elections published a copy of the ballot.”
The Office of the Ombudsman cannot compel an agency or official to take corrective action. It only attempts to “solve” the problem, according to McBride. It does have authority to issue a public report.
Should of NEVER changed the name of ROOSEVELT !!!!!
What does SHE care about besides herself or who may prompt her decisions?
Let’s give her more money! Her performance will improve.
Yes $300K / yr ought to be enough. $200K just can’t motivate.
Perhaps if the schools could get more tax money they could complete this “problematic” task.
““After receiving the complaint,” McBride wrote in an email, “I made inquiry with the Superintendent [Anita Micich] and she acknowledged the errors, and explained that it may have been because the regular secretary was on medical leave.”
Hrmmmm….so one employee gets medical leave and errors occur which are violations of state law.
Another employee of Woodharbor gets fired and actually gets turned down at first for unemployment for medical leave.
This is how society works. The higher up you are the less your rights are violated.
I was told by neighbor teachers a long time ago Micich was an arrogant control freak who would punish anyone who questioned anything to do with the system. So I agree if you were too lazy to get off your butt and vote bend over and live with it.
Shit our whole damn town is run like this and guess what 3/4 of you not only voted yes for the levy but also voted for our arrogant don’t give a rats ass council members. Now we must live with your choices. Thanks for nothing. Merry Chistmas
Sad but true. 65% refused to vote because they do not care. How that happens is anyone’s guess. Should take away the right to vote and see if anyone cares. Soldiers fought and died for the right to vote but people are too lazy and dumb to do it. Insulting to George Washington and real founding fathers. Yet here we are getting screwed left n right. Go ahead check your tax bill and see how it all works out.
They also fought and died for the Right not to vote.
What a nonsensical comment. Voting is a responsibility. If you are ignorant of the issues then by all means, refrain from voting.
If its a responsibility, what is “punishment” for not voting?
As a Right, you may vote; or not because: you don’t want to, you may not care, you may not feel educated enough to make a decision, or maybe you stubbed your toe. But not voting is in itself a vote ( a vote to allow those that do to make the decisions).
So not so nonsensical as you believe.
just like health insurance. If I dont want it, I dont have to buy it.
WHAT??? OHHH SHIT
These people would do anything, say anything, hide anything, to get more and more of your money to a system that already has more than they can spend! Very sleasy
It sure looks like this should invalidate the levy.
The Office of Ombudsman was established by and operates under the authority of Iowa Code Chapter 2C. The office has adopted rules, Iowa Administrative Code [141], regarding the office’s organization, practices and procedures.
The Office of Ombudsman serves as an independent and impartial agency to which citizens can air their grievances about government. By facilitating communications between citizens and government and making recommendations to improve administrative practices and procedures, the Ombudsman promotes responsiveness and quality in government.
The Ombudsman has authority to investigate complaints about Iowa state and local government, with certain exceptions. The Ombudsman attempts to resolve most problems informally. Following an investigation, the Ombudsman may make findings and recommendations and publish a report.