Legal Question in Education Law in Massachusetts

freedom of information

There are a group of parents from our local public high school that would like to pursue issues with the schools handling of athletic decisions. We would like to get information on the athletic director's qualifications, the school's criteria for that position,also the head varsity coaches qualifications,criteria for that position,salaries, and stats, evaluation sheets from try-outs,any written information on the process of picking teams and the oversight of that from the administration. How much information are we intitled to. What they have to provide us legally. We would like any and all information regarding the athletics program and how it is supposed to be run. Whether the coaches have had to take any classes and pass any classes to be in those positions. Do their personal files hold any information to negatively impact their decision making. Can we ask and are they required to give us this information? Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Whit


Asked on 3/26/07, 10:30 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Craig J. Tiedemann Kajko, Weisman & Colasanti, LLP

Re: freedom of information

You should probably make a formal Massachusetts Public Records request, under the applicable statute, on the relevant agencies and committees involved. There may also be local municipal bylaws, ordinances or regulations under which you might also be entitled to receive information, although that would depend upon the city or town you're talking about.

I doubt a federal Freedom of Information Act request would be fruitful, but you could try.

Let me know if I can help. I use the Public Records law all the time in connection with public construction bid procurement and contract performance, and am familiar with the administrative procedures followed by school committees, the department of education, etc.

Read more
Answered on 3/26/07, 10:57 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Education Law questions and answers in Massachusetts