Public servants cannot be compelled to answer legitimate questions about their public service

What part of that premise is acceptable?

School Board President Paula Maes says board members will not answer questions during public forum. She implied that questions will be answered elsewhere.

In truth, the question, “Will you hold yourself honestly accountable to a meaningful standard of conduct?” will not be answered ever, under any circumstance.

Public servants have an obligation to answer any legitimate question about their public service; in any circumstance. The board is not prohibited from answering the question by any statute, regulation or policy; they choose not to answer the question.

There is only one reason to refuse to answer a question, and that is to avoid accountability for the answer. By refusing to answer the question they are demonstrating that they are not honestly accountable to any meaningful standard of conduct.

Public servants have no obligation to tell the truth in response to a legitimate question about their public service.

The premise is unacceptable, yet we tolerate the behavior.

I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that public service is awash with corruption and incompetence.