Wood v. Battle Ground School District

This case involves the scope of the Open Public Meetings Act of 1971 (OPMA). We hold that the OPMA does not cover persons elected but not yet sworn into *556public office, but that under some circumstances electronic mail communications can constitute a “meeting.” Regarding the cross-appeal of a summary judgment dismissal of Jennifer Wood’s defamation claim, we hold that the school board president has a qualified privilege but does not have absolute immunity. Consequently, we reverse the summary judgment on both claims and remand for trial.

FACTS

In November 1997, Roger Sharp, Fred Striker, and…