ATGLEN, PA — In a recent public announcement, Anthony Falgiatore, Octorara School Board Director, raised serious concerns about transparency, open communication, and adherence to the Sunshine Law within the Octorara Area School Board of Directors. He openly criticized the board for failing to respond to his inquiries and for allegedly violating the Sunshine Law, which ensures the public’s right to witness the deliberations of agencies.
Falgiatore underscored the importance of maintaining an open dialogue between the board and the public, citing several incidents where he felt the board had fallen short. He expressed frustration over the board’s lack of response to his emails addressing potential Sunshine Law violations and agenda item concerns, stating it was a “Slap in the face” to all district constituents.
He also addressed specific incidents where he believed the board failed to comply with the Sunshine Law, including one instance where his wife, Melissa Falgiatore, identified that the board did not provide notice of a meeting within the required 24-hour timeframe.
Falgiatore further accused the board of attempting to silence him by ignoring his questions and concerns. He mentioned fellow board member Brian Norris, who he claimed tried to pin the blame on him for not informing the board of a missed public notice. Falgiatore clarified that while he did miss the notice, it was the public’s responsibility to ensure the board follows the Sunshine Law, and thanked Melissa for her vigilance.
In another incident, Falgiatore pointed out that the board’s legal counsel, Mr. Litts, failed to provide immediate remedies or answers to questions about Sunshine Law during a meeting. This led Falgiatore to question the purpose of the counsel’s presence at a public expense.
Falgiatore concluded his announcement by expressing his disappointment in the board’s decision to spend taxpayer funds on a private legal matter without public notification or input. He urged the public to speak up about these concerns and pledged to continue honoring his oath to the constituents by advocating for transparency and adherence to the law.
Falgiatore’s public announcement serves as a call to action, not just for the Octorara School Board but for all public agencies, to uphold their responsibility to operate transparently and in accordance with the law. His stance underscores the importance of open communication and the crucial role of public scrutiny in ensuring accountability within public bodies.
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