Judge hears arguments in Ritz suit against Board of Education

He heard about an hour’s worth of arguments on the case Tuesday but seemed to be leaning toward dismissing the suit because of legal precedent.

Ritz filed suit in October alleging that the 10 other members of the State Board of Education violated the state’s open meeting law by sending a letter to legislative leaders asking them to intervene in calculating A-F school grades.

That letter was emailed around for the members to sign – except for Ritz. Board members contend no meeting occurred in person or by phone, so therefore there was no violation.

Then Attorney General Greg Zoeller moved to strike the complaint, alleging Ritz doesn’t have the legal authority to file suit without his approval.