The Complainant alleged that the Exeter West Greenwich Regional School Committee violated the OMA by improperly convening into executive session during its June 28, 2018 meeting. The undisputed evidence established that the School Committee convened into executive session pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-5(a)(9) for the purpose of holding a hearing on a grievance filed pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. We found such an executive session appropriate based on this Office's in camera review of the executive session meeting minutes as well as the undisputed affidavits. We noted that the implicated OMA provision did not require advanced notice to the Complainant and that the public body had the discretion to convene into executive session pursuant to any applicable exemptions. We found no violation.
