By The Observer

The La Grande School Board approved a statement Wednesday indicating that two of its members overstepped their authority earlier this year in a matter involving confidential student records.

But the board wouldnt hear comments about the issue in open session.

The board statement acknowledges that sometime between June 20 and June 22 the members examined files containing confidential student records at La Grande High School. The board members are Shari Bennett and Kathleen Cathey.

The board acknowledges that the reviewing of these records by the two board members was inappropriate and apologizes for it. The Board has reinforced with its board members and staff the confidential nature of student records and does not expect incidents like this to happen again.

The statement was approved by a vote of 5-1. Sandy Roth voted against it and Bennett did not vote after declaring a conflict of interest.

No citizens spoke to the board in public session about the issue. Board policy says the board will not hear complaints in open session about school personnel or about any person connected with the school system. The Observer disputes the legality of the policy.

Four people talked to the school board about matters related to the student records issue during the closed session. They included Anita Metlen, area coordinator for the Youth For Understanding International Student Exchange Program.

Metlen said this morning that she believes several people at Wednesdays meeting were ready to speak about the student records issue in open session, but decided not to when they learned the board would hear comments in closed

session.

She told the board it needs to work harder to prevent a recurrence of what happened regarding the exchange program records.