One good call, one bad choice

The Charlotte City Council doesn't seem to get it, but Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools superintendent Heath Morrison made the right call today in changing his mind about public access to the upcoming meetings of 22 CMS task forces.

Morrison had previously said the meetings would be closed because task force leaders felt that things would move along better that way. The task forces, comprised of dozens of volunteers, are set to discuss topics important to the future of the district, including closing the achievement gap and, yes, public trust.

Morrison, in a statement this afternoon, said the initial organizing meeting of each task force will remain closed, but that "all subsequent meetings" would be open. Said Morrison: "It has always been our goal to conduct this work inclusively, and in a way that both engenders public trust and fosters the kind of free exchange of ideas that will lead to the best outcomes."

As we said in an editorial last month, we get that. Having a reporter or curious citizen in the corner of the room can sometimes change how the rest of the room acts. But closing off that room costs more - and not only because doing so likely violates open meetings laws. The task force discussions might offer a window into how people feel about major issues confronting our schools. The public benefits when everyone can look in that window, and Morrison benefits, too, if people feel like they're a welcome part of the process.

Too bad the City Council took the opposite approach Monday night, discussing and endorsing in closed session a proposal to give the Carolina Panthers $125 million in public money for stadium renovations. Councilwoman Beth Pickering explained the shut door by noting that the Panthers are "important" to the city. Debating the Panthers request in front of the public, she said, could have led to "mis-impressions."

Translation: She doesn't trust you. But you should trust them.  Peter St. Onge