A Suffolk Circuit Court judge ruled that the Suffolk School Board violated the Freedom of Information Act by denying Dr. Deborah Wahlstrom access to an open meeting. Judge Matthew A. Glassman ruled that the School Board violated the open meeting requirements as set forth under FOIA when Wahlstrom was not allowed to view a school board’s retreat from inside the meeting room at the College and Career Academy at Pruden, where it was held.
Glassman, however, ruled that neither Brooks-Buck nor Gordon should be held liable, as he said it was not a “willful and knowing” violation. He ruled that the board must, in the future, design retreats to allow for public access in the meeting room itself. A future hearing date is to be set for the possible award of attorney fees.
Read the Suffolk Times Herald Article here.
UPDATE: 04/27/2023 In the plaintiff’s action alleging that a city School Board and two school officials violated the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (“VFOIA”), Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., by denying her free entry to a public meeting of the Board, the trial court did not err in awarding relief to the plaintiff because the Board violated the statute, or in denying her claims against the individual defendants. The case is remanded for determination of the fees and costs she is entitled to recover since she substantially prevailed in the suit. The opinion is here.
The Supreme Court of Virginia podcast is a production of BenGlassLaw, a personal injury and disability law firm headquartered in Fairfax Virginia. The podcast uses recordings that are in the public domain, edited "lightly" for the elimination of filler words and long pauses.
This podcast is brought to you by Virginia Injury and Disability law firm, Ben Glass Law.
Real legal help for real people
Your life has been disrupted. You have good doctors and they support you. Your personal injury or long-term disability claim seems like a slam dunk. But there’s a problem: The insurance company doesn’t believe you. “You can’t be hurt that bad! Our medical experts say you’re fine.”
You need a trusted advocate who can uncover all the facts, tell your story to the skeptical insurance company, and get you the money you deserve. You don’t have to do this alone. Contact our Virginia personal injury and long-term disability lawyers today for a free consultation or denial letter review.
A Suffolk Circuit Court judge ruled that the Suffolk School Board violated the Freedom of Information Act by denying Dr. Deborah Wahlstrom access to an open meeting. Judge Matthew A. Glassman ruled that the School Board violated the open meeting requirements as set forth under FOIA when Wahlstrom was not allowed to view a school board’s retreat from inside the meeting room at the College and Career Academy at Pruden, where it was held.
Glassman, however, ruled that neither Brooks-Buck nor Gordon should be held liable, as he said it was not a “willful and knowing” violation. He ruled that the board must, in the future, design retreats to allow for public access in the meeting room itself. A future hearing date is to be set for the possible award of attorney fees.
Read the Suffolk Times Herald Article here.
UPDATE: 04/27/2023 In the plaintiff’s action alleging that a city School Board and two school officials violated the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (“VFOIA”), Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., by denying her free entry to a public meeting of the Board, the trial court did not err in awarding relief to the plaintiff because the Board violated the statute, or in denying her claims against the individual defendants. The case is remanded for determination of the fees and costs she is entitled to recover since she substantially prevailed in the suit. The opinion is here.
The Supreme Court of Virginia podcast is a production of BenGlassLaw, a personal injury and disability law firm headquartered in Fairfax Virginia. The podcast uses recordings that are in the public domain, edited "lightly" for the elimination of filler words and long pauses.
This podcast is brought to you by Virginia Injury and Disability law firm, Ben Glass Law.
Real legal help for real people
Your life has been disrupted. You have good doctors and they support you. Your personal injury or long-term disability claim seems like a slam dunk. But there’s a problem: The insurance company doesn’t believe you. “You can’t be hurt that bad! Our medical experts say you’re fine.”
You need a trusted advocate who can uncover all the facts, tell your story to the skeptical insurance company, and get you the money you deserve. You don’t have to do this alone. Contact our Virginia personal injury and long-term disability lawyers today for a free consultation or denial letter review.