School board should release Shon firing info

THE ISSUE The state school board has hesitated in releasing information about the firing of the charter schools administrator.

JAMES Shon's ouster by the state Board of Education last month from his position as executive director of the Charter School Administrative Office has not been explained and it remains puzzling. An aggressive advocate for charter schools, Shon has a following of supporters who want to know which board members voted for his firing and would like to retaliate at voting booths next Tuesday. They should have that prerogative.

Attorney General Mark Bennett reviewed the documents regarding Shon's dismissal and told the Star- Bulletin that the board has no reason to withhold the individual votes, at the very least. Shon, a former state representative, said he does not oppose releasing the votes and the reasons for his firing.

The state Office of Information Practices ordered the school board on Thursday to "immediately disclose" which members voted to oust Shon, but the board has declined to do so. What is it about "immediately" that the board does not understand?