By Frances Matteck/editor-in-chief

Judge Melody Wilkinson ruled that Tarrant County College did not violate open meeting laws during a June action on Chancellor Leonardo de la Garza’s contract.

Larry Meeker and Brian Rutledge filed the suit saying that the Board of Trustees did not give adequate notice that de la Garza’s contract extension would be discussed, but Wilkinson disagreed in granting summary judgment.

“The college is very pleased with the verdict,” said TCC lawyer Angela Robinson.

The Board of Trustees is happy to put the lawsuit behind them, she said.

Meeker and Rutledge are not so happy.

“I and my clients were both somewhat surprised and very disappointed and are definitely going to appeal,” said Harold Hammett, the plaintiffs’ lawyer.

One reason the verdict surprised them was that the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas filed an amicus curiae brief urging the court to rule in favor of the plaintiffs, Hammett said.

Meeker and Rutledge allege the wording of the notice for the June of 2008 board meeting was insufficient. At the meeting, de la Garza was granted a three-year extension of his contract and a nearly $1 million increase in pay over that period of time.

Robinson has received the notice for appeal and will represent the college again.