This is NOT what transparency looks like

"When this process is complete, at that point, we will be transparent."
"Our policy is to be transparent, when things become official."

The New Haven Public Schools are considering turning over one of their schools to Renaissance Schools Services. As pointed out not only in the report, but also by WGBH, the meeting for parents to keep them updated was barred to reporters.
This is a basic misunderstanding of "transparency," folks (and, incidentally, if this is what having a spokesperson looks like: no, thanks!). Transparency, in a public system, means that EVERYBODY gets to know what's going on BEFORE you make the decision.
Yes, even if you aren't a parent.
Yes, even if you couldn't make the meeting.

The plot, by the way, thickens: the only reason the New Haven Board of Ed didn't vote at an improperly-posted meeting last week is the same reporter pointed out that their meeting was not in compliance with the open meeting law. Apparently, Renaissance has been working in the district, regardless:

Meanwhile, Renaissance President Richard O’Neill  revealed his company has already been doing work in the district without a contract.“I’ve been in the district for the entire last week,” looking at data and meeting with staff and parents, he said Monday.

And it isn't cheap:

If Renaissance continues to take over Clemente, the school would have three top officials, whose salaries are not included in the contract. The three positions—principal, “achievement specialist,” and “operations specialist”—carry salaries totaling about $350,000, said O’Neill.
The achievement specialist would be akin to an assistant principal. The “operations specialist” would take on the task of running the school, including talking to parents and dealing with buses—tasks currently handled by the principal and by some central office staff.
O’Neill said he plans to launch a national search this week for these three positions, in addition to considering any internal candidates.
The contract comes as the city faces a budget crisis, with up to 190 layoffs looming at the school board.

(h/t, Nicole!)