The School Board made a regrettable decision when it closed its deliberations over the Patrick Henry contract to the public.

Times-Dispatch reporter Zachary Reid objected, and for good reasons. Because the contract already had been written, there was no legal necessity to close the meeting. Board members already had had the opportunity to review its terms. And because the issue concerned a policy question of great importance -- and interest -- to the public, closing the meeting denied citizens insight about the thought processes of their elected representatives.

Closing the meeting also was a slap in the face to Richard Day and the other leaders of the Patrick Henry initiative, who deserved the opportunity to hear and perhaps address matters raised during the closed part of the meeting.

Far from inoculating board members from criticism, closing the meeting only opened them up to rumor and innuendo. When the facts are not available, speculation will fill the void. What were board members trying to hide? Given the outcome of the vote, some might conclude: nothing good -- nothing good at all.