NORTH JACKSON — A Mogadore man has filed a lawsuit against the Jackson-Milton School District’s Board of Education, claiming the board doesn’t include enough facts to permit the public to understand the rationale behind its decisions at meetings.

Brian Ames’s complaint, filed Feb. 1 in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, cites multiple violations of Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22, the Open Meetings Act, which requires boards to conduct business in an open meeting that the public may attend and observe. He also accused the board of violating state Sunshine Laws, which give residents access to government meetings and records, between 2022 and 2023.

In one of four counts, Ames claims that board treasurer John Zinger was unable to provide an authentic copy of its rule for providing notice of its meetings in response to a public records request.

Another of the four counts points out a lack of discussion of items on consent calendars, which groups discussion items into a single agenda item. Ames pointed out the board had not established a policy for their use and that meetings were not open at all times because of their use.

Ames noted a ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court, which states a board’s use of consent calendars in such a manner leaves the public in the dark about their actions at meetings. Ames alleges that any actions adopted or taken in meetings where consent calendars were used are invalid based on violations of the Open Meetings Act.

In his lawsuit, Ames is requesting the school board establish a reasonable means of providing notice of meetings that reaches the public, that the treasurer keep comprehensive minutes and the board hold a roll call prior to meetings and executive sessions, as well as cease the usage of consent calendars.

Ames also asked the board to pay $500 for each of the four counts, as well as the court and attorney fees throughout the process.

This isn’t his first rodeo.

Called an open records “bounty hunter” and criticized by many for his efforts, Ames has sued numerous Ohio governing bodies and has won or received settlements on more than 40 cases.

In 2022, in cases against six Trumbull County governmental bodies, judges signed off on out-of-court agreements between Ames and the city of Hubbard as well as Fowler, Johnston, Champion, Kinsman and Vienna townships for similar violations.

Board member Tausha Bacorn said that while they have not been officially served, they’re aware of the complaint’s contents and refused to comment any further.

“We will respond to these claims in due course and believe we have conducted our board meetings in accordance with the law and board policy,” Bacorn wrote. “As this is pending litigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

Ames and his attorney, Barry Ward, could not be reached for comment. Superintendent Kirk Baker also could not be reached for comment.