Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By Freedom Fighter
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

FOIA School Board Lawsuit Settled

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.



secure arkansas logo

 

Attorneys McCutchen and Napurano are victorious in a recent FOIA law suit!

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a stellar law that provides the public the right to request access to information from:

  • agencies

  • county government

  • municipal government

  • state government

  • public schools

 

See this victorious lawsuit by McCutchen and Napurano because it stands as the perfect example of why we need transparency in government!

Here’s the press release:

Fort Smith Attorneys Joey McCutchen and Stephen Napurano announced today that they have settled a lawsuit against the West Memphis School District and Board of Education for violating the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The lawsuit arose following the termination of former West Memphis School District Superintendent Richard Atwill’s contract during a Board meeting in April 2023. During the April meeting, the Board entered executive session to discuss a “personnel matter.” After returning from executive session, the Board voted to terminate Superintendent Atwill’s contract and approved a $350,000 severance package. According to Board Member Dr. Kimberly Wolfe, no explanation was given for Atwill’s termination. The Board then named Willie Rhoades as interim superintendent nearly a day after terminating Atwill’s contract.

The Board announced in May 2023 that Dr. Terrence Brown was selected as the new superintendent after the Board conducted interviews. No notice of these interviews was given to the public or media in clear violation of FOIA. Emails obtained through a FOIA Request showed that the Board secretly interviewed four candidates for the superintendent position. The candidates were Terrence Brown, Wyonia Scott, Toriano Green, and Rodriguez Broadnax.

The suit alleged that the West Memphis School District and Board of Education violated FOIA by not providing notice of the interviews to the public and media.

McCutchen said, “There was to be complete lack of transparency by several board members beginning with the termination of Dr. Richard Atwill, the payment of $350,000 of taxpayer money, and concluding with the secret hiring of the new replacement Superintendent Terrence Brown.”

McCutchen added, “This lawsuit is a perfect example of why the people of Arkansas are pursuing a constitutional amendment and peoples’ act to enshrine the right to transparency in our constitution. This case is the perfect example of  the need in the peoples’ law to allow a Circuit Court to hold individual wrongdoers personally liable with the imposition of a $1,000 civil penalty which will not be satisfied with public funds. Conduct rewarded is conduct repeated.”

[Bold emphasis added by Secure Arkansas]

 

Read the court order here:   Agreed Order for court case no. 18CV-23-897

 

We know that we need more transparency, not less. Everyone that’s been elected, appointed, or employed in government works for us, the taxpayers! Our government has become so authoritarian and corrupt now, the public trust is at an all-time low. So, if you believe in government transparency, please be sure to sign the current FOIA petitions being circulated.

 

image credit

Shockingly, during this last 2023 legislative session, the majority of the Arkansas Republican legislators attempted to totally dismantle 1/2 of Republican Governor Winthrop Rockefeller’s crowning achievement, our FOIA law, by targeting the open meeting provisions of FOIA. Many of the legislators wanted to weaken Arkansas’ laws about public access to public documents — and this involves our right to access what elected officials are doing in matters of the public’s business.

The Arkansas lawmakers’ actions to conceal transparency and dismantle our Sunshine Law are unacceptable! WHY would they want this?… unless there’s something to hide from the public. Transparency is important because the public is FED UP with all the criminal cover-ups for which the government is famous.

Remember, just because they are Republicans doesn’t make them a good guy. These guys are RINO’s (Republican In Name Only) and can’t be trusted. Please vote those traitors out of office as soon as you can, and help us get the FOIA petitions on the ballot this November. We will need your help protecting our FOIA and also with canvassing your friends and family so they can sign the FOIA petitions, too.

As always, our articles may be viewed on our website at  SecureArkansas.com. Once there, you may:

  • view current articles on the main page;
  • view older articles by clicking “Posts & Articles” at the top left of the main page and scrolling down.
  • view additional past articles by clicking the “Next Page” button at the bottom right.

To find information about a topic, just type it into the Search box on our website, and click Enter!

Click here if you’d like to sign up to receive Secure Arkansas email alerts.

stop fluoride

Securing the blessings of liberty,

Secure Arkansas
securetherepublic.com/arkansas
info@securetherepublic.com


Disclaimer:

Legal Advice is Not Provided

The material in our emails/alerts and on our websites is only intended to provide general information and comment to the public. We make an effort to ensure that the information found in our emails/alerts and on our websites is accurate and timely, but we can’t and don’t guarantee that. Nor do we guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information contained on websites to which our websites or emails provide links.

Information found in our emails/alerts and on our websites should not be taken as legal advice. Legal matters can be complicated. For assistance with a specific legal problem or question, please contact a knowledgeable lawyer for assistance.

 



Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.