Whether Local School Advisory Teams ("LSATs") are public bodies subject to the OMA

This Advisory Opinion considered whether Local School Advisory Teams ("LSATs") are public bodies subject to the Open Meetings Act (OMA). The Director of Open Government found that Local School Advisory Teams (LSATs) in DC Public Schools are “public bodies” under the District’s Open Meetings Act (OMA). The Advisory Opinion explains that LSATs, which include parents, staff, and community members advising school leadership, meet the three-part OMA test: they are statutory entities; they convene with a quorum; and they carry out public business, particularly by advising on school planning and resource allocation. As public bodies, LSATs must fulfill all OMA obligations. This includes publicly posting meeting schedules and notices (with date, time, location, and agenda), maintaining open meetings—except when legally permissible to close them—and publishing meeting minutes promptly, typically within three school days. The Advisory Opinion also recommended that LSATs undertake OMA training and incorporate clear processes for notice and recordkeeping to ensure full compliance.