Accomack County School Board settles lawsuit over FOIA violations in termination of Dr. Rhonda Hall

The Accomack County School Board acknowledged Thursday that it “unintentionally violated at least one or more procedural requirements” of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in connection with its meetings. The admission, shared in a statement by Board Chairperson Janet Martin Turner to Shore Daily News, accompanied news of a settlement in a civil lawsuit filed against the board in December.

The board agreed to pay the plaintiffs’ legal fees and stated its intent to avoid a costly trial that could divert funds from students and school staff. “The School Board reaffirmed its commitment to complying with the requirements of the act as it relates to school board meetings,” the statement read. Details of the specific FOIA violation and the legal fees were not disclosed, with the statement referring to the cost as “minimal.”

The lawsuit was filed by James Fedderman, a teacher and state teacher’s association officer, along with Ana Jurado, Debra Olsen, and Nicole Shrieves. The plaintiffs alleged that the board failed to properly advertise and provide an adequate venue for a meeting during which former Superintendent Rhonda Hall was terminated. They claimed the meeting notice inaccurately described the session as closed, discouraging public attendance, and argued the conference room used for the meeting was too small to accommodate the public.

Court records revealed a text message between Turner and Hall, in which Turner requested the special meeting be advertised. The official notice referred to the session as a “closed special meeting.” Under FOIA guidelines, when a portion of a meeting is to be held in private, the meeting must first be opened to the public, the topics for private discussion disclosed, and the meeting reopened to the public afterward for any voting.

While there was no allegation that the board voted in private regarding Hall’s termination, the plaintiffs contended the board’s handling of the meeting violated FOIA procedures. Public commentary on personnel matters is typically prohibited during open sessions.

On Facebook, Fedderman celebrated the settlement, posting, “We the People prevailed. WE WON!!! … This case is historical at the local and state level.”

In its statement, the School Board expressed gratitude for community input and emphasized that resolving the matter collaboratively reflects its dedication to representing the collective interests of Accomack County residents.