Tulsa Public Schools denies open records request
From Sunshine Review
13 November 2008
Last June, in response to public outcry, Tulsa Public Schools of Oklahoma hired Management of America to evaluate the district's alternative education programs, with a price tag of $67,274. The deadline for the report was September 12, but when the report had still not been made public by September 30, Tulsa World requested it under the Oklahoma Open Records Act. They were told it was "still going through the quality control process."[1]
[edit] Second Records request
Tulsa World made a second request for the evaluation on November 12, and were told that the report would not be made public until the next school board meeting on November 17. New Superintendent Keith Ballard said they received the final copy of the report last week, but that it had to be reviewed by board members and the district's attorneys before he would make it public.
The Superintendent stated, "I want to consult with the attorneys to find out if there is anything in there that can't be released. I want it released — I want people to see everything in it," Ballard said, but "I'm not going to release it today — I really can't."[1]
[edit] No provision
Tulsa World points out that the Oklahoma Open Records Act states that "all records of public bodies and public officials shall be open to any person for inspection, copying, or mechanical reproduction during regular business hours." Also, "a public body must provide prompt, reasonable access to its records but may establish reasonable procedures which protect the integrity and organization of its records and to prevent excessive disruptions of its essential functions."[1]
It does not provide any provision saying that records can be withheld while being reviewed by attorneys or public officials.[1]
