View and Reflect
| Site: | MSL Learn |
| Course: | Legal Topics: Conducting an Executive Session in a Public Meeting |
| Book: | View and Reflect |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Sunday, 5 October 2025, 5:49 AM |
Description
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About our Speaker
Kris Goss is the Director of Library Learning Hub at Helena College - University of Montana. Kris also serves as an attorney and currently works with the firm of Jackson, Murdo, & Grant, P.C. in Helena.
Kris previously worked with the Montana School Boards Association and served as a law clerk in the chambers of the Honorable Sam E. Haddon in the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Prior to law school, Kris worked as the Governor’s K-12 Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director in the administration of Governor Judy Martz.
Kris earned a law degree from the University of Montana School of Law, a Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin, and a Bachelor of Arts from Carroll College. He serves as the Vice Chair of the Trust for Montana Libraries Board of Directors and serves on the Montana Library Association Intellectual Freedom and Government Affairs Committees.
Discussion Questions
Balancing Rights
How should library boards navigate the tension between the public’s right to know and an individual’s right to privacy during board meetings?
Presiding Officer's Role
What responsibilities does the presiding officer have when determining whether to enter a closed session, and how can they ensure this decision is legally sound?
Transparency in Practice
What are some effective ways libraries can demonstrate transparency and build public trust beyond simply complying with open meeting laws?
Closed Session Protocols
Why is it important to include the possibility of a closed session on the meeting agenda, and what are the risks of failing to do so?
Legal Consequences
What are the potential legal and reputational consequences for a library board that violates open meeting laws or individual privacy rights?
Meeting Notice Standards
How can libraries balance the legal minimum of 48 hours’ notice with best practices for public engagement and accessibility?
Attorney Involvement
In what situations should a library board ensure that legal counsel is present during a closed session, and what are the risks of relying on secondhand legal advice?
Policy Development
What key elements should be included in a library’s open meeting and closed session policies to ensure compliance and clarity for staff, trustees, and the public?
Discussion questions generated from the webinar transcript using Microsoft Copilot.
Recording
(57:28)
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