Stow Munroe Falls Schools -- Public Records Requests
Last January I requested information pertaining to records requests made to the
Stow- Munroe Falls School District.
I now have hose records and I would like to share the results though this blog. My goal is to give anyone interested in this topic the basic information needed to understand the scope of the requests being made and how our school system has responded to those requests.
By example I am going to use our school district and the requests made of it during the last 12 months.
You will be able to see the actual requests. In most cases the response is omitted as the information requested is not the topic of this blog. There are about 200 pages of data available.
Some is redundant and I will try to limit the repetition by only publishing the complete thread as it relates to the handful of topics from a very small number of individuals.
Nothing has been redacted. I am organizing the requests by date and grouping them by the requestor’s name.
The first group has been uploaded for you to view. It will take time but the rest will be uploaded over the coming weeks.
I believe access to public records is essential in an open democracy. Do record requests place an undue strain on public agency resources?
Mike Barnes
11:25 am on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Document group two deals with something known as the 516 fund. As you will see there was a fair amount of sparing between the district staff and the requestor. In my opinion the most disturbing comments come from board member Rod Armstrong who wanted to stop by the board offices to look over the shoulder of the person attempting to fulfill the request and then demanding the Treasurer give him a personal demonstration of the steps taken to fulfill the request. Please keep in mind that board of education members only have authority to act as a group and only when they meet and agree on a course of action as a group. Individual members have no authority to direct, correct or instruct ANY district employee. As individuals they have the same status as you or me.
After all the correspondence and the time district personnel spent on this request the anonymous requestor promised to pay the $1.30 copy fee. They didn’t pay it and never picked up the documents. The result? Hundreds of education dollars wasted.
Dawn Doo
1:36 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Personally, I didn't like that we had to do record requests but I can honestly say it never occurred to any of us to berate anyone publicly for making them. These are no more copious than they have been in the past.
Mike Barnes
4:59 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
My original request for the groups of records I have published was made on January 24. I have attached that request for all to see. I was also contacted last night and asked why I have not published the districts replies to the requests I published. There are several reasons. First, while some of the requests are just a few pages MANY are voluminous and therefore time consuming and costly for the district to reproduce -- for a second time and for me to buy, scan and publish. Second, I am hoping the requestors will take the initiative to use the knowledge they have gained and publish the results of their investigations. It seems logical if they went to the trouble to create such detailed requests they must then have some purpose, other than idle curiosity! Third, because of the costs associated with fulfilling these requests I would like the district to maintain a log of all requests so staff, clerical and legal expenses can be properly accounted for. This will be an ongoing project and I hope to publish a comprehensive update in August or September. We are very fortunate to have competent people working for our district. They do not deserve the added work, and distraction from education that seemingly needless requests for records can create. As taxpayers I hope all who read this will ask the requestors to share what they learned from their requests.
Maureen Adkins
6:22 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I have a few questions about this blog.. why are some replies posted, what's your reasoning behind what reply does or does not get published. Personally I don't care whether a check was bounced or not and feel that didn't have to be published. I'm sure the fees were paid by the person. Another question, the requests being blogged on this site are they the only requests the schools have had? Why just these? Thanks!
Troy McClure
9:04 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Be careful what he wishes for?
I highly suggest YOU watch your comments. You people are in no position to be issuing threats.
Troy McClure
9:04 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Katie,
"Elections Commission"?
Again, please stop flinging words & terms & job titles around acting like you have a clue. You're embarrassing yourself to the point of being pathetic.
Mike Barnes
9:48 am on Thursday, May 3, 2012
Sorry that should actually be ----- Maureen Heinl Adkins -- to quote your Facebook thoughts about me " What a jerk! " !!! Not knowing me and having that attitude leads me to ask -- Why would you care? Frankly I think the answers may have already been given.
YOUR BEST FRIEND
6:56 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
i was just wondering ,how much is your research costing the taxpayers or is school paying you to do this on our dime?
Troy McClure
9:04 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Unlike the others, he is actually paying for what he's asking for. So, it's not costing you anything. I see Mr. Barnes touched a nerve & bringing some of you people out of the woodwork.
Good!
Obviously some of you can't take the heat.