WWNC radio host Pete Kaliner recently posted a blog criticizing the Buncombe County School Board's decision to require that any request for information by a board member be approved by its chairman. Here's an excerpt (click the link below to read the post in its entirety):

So, here's an interesting little item from the last Buncombe County School Board meeting...

The Board voted 5-1 to require any request for information by a board member be approved by the Chairman of the Board, rather than the Superintendent.

Board member Pat Bryant said it's inappropriate for him or his colleagues to have staff provide information to them without approval from the Chairman. He said the staff doesn't work for individual board members.

Frankly, either approach is ridiculous. If a board member wants information, he or she is perfectly allowed to make that request.

In other districts, board members are free to speak with staff and get answers to questions.

In other districts, staff provides all information to all board members.