FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agreements to settle lawsuits against school districts, when they involve the payment of school funds, are subject to public disclosure even if the parties agree to seal the deal, according to an attorney general's opinion.

        Assistant Attorney General James Ringo said the public's right to know how school districts spend their money generally outweighs any privacy interest.

        Mr. Ringo said settlement documents might be excluded from disclosure under other terms of the open records law, but the law generally favors public access.

        If a document has been sealed by a judge, questions about its disclosure must be raised in court, though the law also places the burden on the side that wants to keep the document secret.

        Opinions of the attorney general's office on matters involving the open-records law carry the force of law.

Ohio in hot water over air quality
Issues beginning to surface in contest
Candidates grilled in broadcast
Burbs show little interest in race-relations forums
Cliff Lash made the music for WLWT
Move bruises some feelings
Request to move trial is refused
Fire chief's job target of inquiry
Former 5/3 teller sues bank after robberies
Tristate A.M. Report
Photography class gets the picture
United Way goal: $2.2M
Van owner charged with dragging cop
Whither goeth class? To Puritan 'funeral'
Byrd presses final appeal
Circus coming to Richwood Flea Market
Florence loses former mayor
Judge suspended for delays
Kentucky News Briefs
Man's ability in trial questioned
Medicaid's cost spirals
Schools subject to disclosures