Is the sharing of a Google document by Hamilton Southeastern School Board members a violation of the Indiana open meetings law?  That is the central point of an Indianapolis Star article posted online early Wednesday morning and appearing on the front page of Wednesday’s print edition.

Reporter Rachel Fradette describes a Google document shared with her that shows discussion among board members about student handbook issues before any public meeting discussion was conducted on this issue.

Fradette quotes Indiana Public Access Counselor Luke Britt as saying the board is on a “slippery slope” in sharing the document and discussing the issues using that technology outside a public meeting.  According to the IndyStar reporting, Luke Britt says it’s unusual for a school board to take on or draft policy in this manner.

Board President Dawn Lang responded to the Star in an e-mail asserting the Google document in question in not exclusively a board document.

Fradette also quotes Gerry Lanosga, Indiana University Associate Professor of Journalism, expressing his view this violated the spirit of the Open Door law by sharing a document outside of public view.

You can read the entire story at this link. (NOTE:  your access to this story may be limited if you are not an IndyStar subscriber.  Online subscriptions are very inexpensive.  Once gain, subscribe to your local medai!)