Dr. Paul R. Gausman v. Sioux City Community School District, Daniel D. Greenwell, Jan George, Taylor Goodvin, and Bob Michaelson

Former superintendent of the Sioux City Community School District brought this action against the District and four of its school board members for alleged violations of Iowa’s Open Meetings Act. The District appeals the district court’s orders finding that a portion of a closed session meeting exceeded the scope of an evaluation of professional competency under Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(i), that the former board president was not entitled to the safe harbor protections of the Act, and that the superintendent was entitled to attorney fees and costs totaling $52,704.86. The superintendent cross-appeals, arguing the district court erred in finding that a different closed session meeting complied with the Act.

Holding: A school board appeals and a former superintendent cross appeals from a district court order involving the legality of two school board meetings under the Iowa Open Meetings Act. Appeal Reversed; Cross-Appeal Affirmed.