Portage County Man Files Lawsuit Against Jackson-Milton School District, Alleges Violation of Ohio’s Sunshine Laws

North Jackson, Ohio – A Portage County man has recently filed a lawsuit against the Jackson-Milton Local School District, claiming that the district has violated Ohio’s Sunshine Laws. These laws stipulate that government meetings and records must be made public. Brian Ames, the president of Open Government Advocates, initiated the lawsuit, which was submitted to the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas on February 1.

According to the lawsuit, the district has failed to properly inform the public about its school board meetings and maintain accurate and complete meeting minutes. It also alleges that the school board does not follow the correct procedures before starting an executive session and misuses consent agendas. In response to these alleged violations, Ames is demanding that the school board establish a process for notifying the public about their meetings, maintain accurate meeting minutes, and conduct a roll call vote before initiating an executive session.

Ames is seeking $500 in damages for each of the four counts where he claims the district violated the Sunshine Laws. This is not the first time that Ames has taken legal action against educational institutions and government entities. He has previously filed similar lawsuits against multiple school districts in Ohio and the Mahoning County Board of Elections.

Interestingly, Ames is also involved in local politics. He is running as a Republican candidate in three races during the primary elections in Portage County, scheduled for March. This political connection raises questions about his motivations behind the legal actions he has taken against various entities.

As of now, there has been no response from superintendent Kirk Baker or school board president Rob Vernon regarding the lawsuit. It remains to be seen how the district will address these allegations and whether any resolution can be reached outside of the courtroom.

The lawsuit filed by Brian Ames against the Jackson-Milton Local School District brings attention to concerns regarding transparency and accountability in the district’s operations. Ohio’s Sunshine Laws play a crucial role in ensuring that government entities are held accountable for their actions. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for other school districts and government organizations throughout the state.

In order to comply with AP News Style guidelines, it is important to present the information in a concise and straightforward manner without directly quoting any news organization. By adhering to these guidelines, the article can effectively convey the details of the lawsuit and its potential impact on the Jackson-Milton Local School District.