Open Meeting Law

Vermont's open meeting law requires all meetings of public bodies to be open to the public at all times, unless a specific exception applies. The purpose of the law is to promote transparency, accountability, and better decision-making in government.

ACT 133- Vermont's Open Meeting Law was updated to provide greater transparency and access to public meetings

All board meetings in ANWSD are accessible in real- time by using the links provided on the board agenda, and can be viewed at any time after the meetings by accessing the recordings provided on the meetings and agenda page. 

If you feel the ANWSD has violated the Open Meeting Law you can fill out the form below or submit a claim to the Vermont Secretary of State's office by clicking here. 

Open Meeting Law Violation Procedures

Procedures for submitting a notice of an open meeting law violation:
1.  Provide the ANWSD school board with a written notice that alleges a specific violation and requests a specific cure of the violation. (see form below)

2.  Upon receiving the notice, the ANWSD school board has 10 calendar days to respond publicly by either:
     a.  acknowledging the violation and stating an intent to cure it within 14 calendar days; or
     b.  denying that any violation occurred and thus no cure is necessary.

3.  If the ANWSD school board does not respond within 10 calendar days, it is considered a denial of the violation for purposes of enforcement.

4.  If the ANWSD school board acknowledges the violation, they must correct it within 14 calendar days in an open meeting by:
     a.  Either ratifying, or declaring as void, any action taken at or resulting from:
          i.  A meeting that was not noticed in accordance with subsection 312(c) of the open meeting law; or
         ii.  A meeting that a person or the public was wrongfully excluded from attending; or
        iii.  An executive session or portion thereof not authorized under subdivisions 313(a)(1)-(10) of this title; and

     b.  adopting specific measures that actually prevent future violations.

5.  After either acknowledging or denying a violation, or after the 14-day cure period has passed for acknowledged violations, the Attorney General or anyone affected by the violation can file a lawsuit in the Civil Division of the Superior Court. This lawsuit can seek injunctions or declaratory judgments. Such lawsuits must be filed within one year of the meeting where the violation occurred.

Please link here to read the full text of 16 V.S.A §314 Penalty and Enforcement.