Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Right To Know

If you read the local paper lately there has been a lot of questions regarding Right-to-Know policy and procedures.

Each School District has an "Open Records Officer" this person may be the Superintendent, Business Manager or the School Board Secretary.

This individual, who ever it may be, will differ from School District to School District. Per the Letter of the law if you you have a request for information you are to contact this individual.

This individual in turn must respond in 5 (Business) days. They must outline the cost of providing the information requested. If the requester chooses to pay the associated fees (usually 25 cents per copy) to receive the documentation, the School District must honor their request.

If the requested information falls within one of the "30 exceptions" the School District's Open Record Office may decline the individuals request.

The goal is provide tax payers with requested documentation in orderly and efficient manner. This will assist individuals in understanding School District operations and address any concerns they may have.

5 Comments:

Blogger Ellipses said...

Can they just email me a pdf for free?

May 27, 2009 at 9:52 AM  
Blogger Dawn Keller said...

If anyone has more questions, I posted a link to the Pennsylvania Open Records Office in our Resourceful Links section at the right.

May 27, 2009 at 9:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ellipses, the open records officer does not have to give you a record in a different media than in which it is maintained. In other words, if the record is stored as a PDF, then yes, it can be emailed to you as long as you submit the request correctly. BUT if the record is not a PDF already, it does not have to be converted to email it to you and you'll have to pay 25 cents a copy.

May 27, 2009 at 12:57 PM  
Blogger Ellipses said...

Anon...
Thanks... How would one go about suggesting that all documentation be produced in electronic form... if not "in place of," at least "in addition to?"

May 27, 2009 at 2:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The sad thing is the folks complaining about 'right to know' are the ones that don't actually seek clarity on the policy.

Instead, they would rather grandstand at a board meeting.

May 27, 2009 at 6:12 PM  

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