"There are situations, however, where the discussion involves personnel matters that do not derive from the personnel file. Indeed, the statute allows but does not always require public bodies to discuss employees in closed session. If the council simply wants to discuss an employee without reference to any confidential information, the council is free to invite the members-elect to attend the closed session."
Of course, if the yet to be sworn-in members-elect could be invited to the closed session then it stands to reason that in at least some instances the issues could be discussed in open session. How many times has the Greensboro City Council kept secret things about the actions of city employees that the public had a right to know?
