MEDIA ALLOWED. ACCESS DENIED. Creswell School Board illegally kicks Chronicle to the curb

Hey, how much are you paying in school taxes again?
Do you deserve to know what is going on in the school district you help fund — in the schools your kids go to?
Do you believe in your right to know; do you believe in the free press, in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution?
Yeah, so do we.
But at the monthly Creswell School Board (CSB) meeting on Wednesday, March 14, The Creswell Chronicle was unjustly kicked out of an executive session.
In all its irony, this misconduct actualized during Sunshine Week, a national initiative spearheaded by the American Society of News Editors to educate the public about the importance of open government and the dangers of excessive and unnecessary secrecy.
We know our rights. The Chronicle called foul and Ball Janik LLP Attorney Jack Orchard, who specializes in Public Meetings Law, backed us up. Orchard represents Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association and all its members, to which The Chronicle belongs, and for which Chronicle Owner/Publisher Scott Olson serves on the board.
Orchard confirmed that Creswell School Board violated Public Meetings Law. Period.
“There are only a couple instances where media can be excluded from an executive session, and I don’t believe either one of those instances listed qualify for The Chronicle to be excluded from that executive session,” Orchard said.
We want the community to understand the gravity of this situation. This isn’t just a mere spat between The Chronicle and Creswell School District board members; no, it goes much deeper than that. Creswell School Board robbed The Chronicle of access to information we had a right to. This, in turn, robs you, citizens of the community, of your right to be informed.
By attempting to keep their deliberations hidden from public scrutiny, Creswell School Board brings their own ethics into question. Actions of governmental secrecy stir cynicism, erode public trust and discourage community involvement. As citizens of this community, it is your right to ask questions, to hold officials responsible and to demand answers.
Not a single board member spoke up after Chair Mike Anderson unrightfully insisted The Chronicle leave. School Board Vice Chair Tim Rogers and directors Natalie Smathers, David Eusted, Lacey Risdal and Paul Randall have all been trained on Public Meetings Law.
The Boardsmanship for Oregon School Board Members document explicitly states that a board member is to, “Recognize that the board must comply with the Public Meetings Law and has authority to make decisions only at official board meetings”; and, “Insists that all board and district business is ethical and honest, is open, fair and honest — has no hidden agenda.”
The fact that no one challenged or even questioned Chair Anderson’s call, that no one spoke up, speaks for itself.