Backed by Eagan Legislators, Transparency Bill Heads to Dayton's Desk

Tania Z. Chance may be long gone from the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District, but the are still making waves in Minnesota.

On April 30, the Minnesota House unanimously signed off on an amended bill sponsored by Burnsville Rep. Pam Myhra (R). The measure would reform a segment of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act—the statute Burnsville school officials say prevented them from releasing for information about Chance's controversial settlement agreement with the district.

Myhra's bill would make any settlement agreement that includes a payout to public employees available to the public. The bill also classifies agreements pertaining to dispute resolution as public documents.

Myhra told the Pioneer Press the bill was inspired by the unusual circumstances of Chance's departure earlier this year. Citing data privacy laws, school district officials stayed mum about the reasons behind Chance's decision to leave and her severance package. The deal sparked outrage from community residents, who packed in at a district meeting earlier this year to express their displeasure.

The House initially passed Myhra's bill on April 16, but the legislation was later amended in the Senate. Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to sign the bill into law.

Both Rep. Doug Wardlow (R) and Rep. Diane Anderson (R) of Eagan are listed as co-authors of the bill, which debuted on March 5 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Eagan Sen. Ted Daley (R) co-authored the Senate's version of the bill.

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