The Sacramento City Unified School District's Response to Requests for Public Information

REASON FOR INVESTIGATION

Complaints were received concerning the lack of response to requests for public documents from the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD).

BACKGROUND

The Public Records Act of the California Government Code provides for the release of information and documents unless their dissemination is specifically exempt for privacy and legal reasons. Specific timelines for responding to such requests are provided in the Government Code. The federal Freedom of Information Act also provides for access to information and documents held by federal agencies.

PROCEDURE FOLLOWED

A complainant and SCUSD staff were interviewed. SCUSD policies were also reviewed.

FINDINGS

The current policy (SCUSD Policy P-1060, Dissemination of Information) is inadequate and fails to address the issues in the complaints, i.e., failure to respond to a request in a timely manner, and failure to respond at all. The Grand Jury was told that the policy is currently being revised, but no draft revisions were made available. Standard information which is prepared specifically for the public, such as statistics about the schools and programs, are available at various sites.

CONCLUSION

At the present time, there is no adequate policy or manner of response for dissemination of information to the public which should be obtainable under the various laws relating to public information. This is particularly true if such information is not readily available or is not commonly requested.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Grand Jury recommends that:

1. SCUSD develop an adequate policy for dissemination of public information, including compliance with statutory timelines for responding to such requests.
2. SCUSD provide written guidelines to persons requesting public information.
SCUSD develop a tracking system for information requested.

RESPONSE REQUIRED

The Penal Code requires response to the recommendations contained in this report be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Sacramento Superior and Municipal Courts by September 30, 1997, from:

Sacramento City Unified School District