Board member Miss Stacy told the Craven County Board of Education that a recent public‑records request produced roughly 2,200 pages and required "substantial redactions by our council," producing legal costs and staff time the board should review. "There are many things that are concerning about this. One is the cost that we incurred," Stacy said, and she said she planned to review the legal bills related to that request.

Stacy said the volume of responsive board records and the content raised concerns about the kind of material produced in responses. "I was disheartened to see the amount of public records that were created by the board that were responsive to this request," she said, adding that the board should be mindful of creating records that could later be subject to public disclosure. Stacy called service on the board "a privilege" and urged colleagues to avoid personal remarks about staff that could become public record.

Jennifer Wagner, who presented the public‑records quarterly update, told the board staff had received 12 requests since April, with three still open and 17 year‑to‑date. Wagner said the district is drafting a proposed public‑records regulation that would include fees to help cover staff and legal burdens. "We are currently working on a draft regulation in regards to public records request, with fees associated with it going forward," Wagner said, adding staff would bring the draft to the board next month.

The nut graf: the board identified a recent large public‑records request that generated significant redaction and legal expense; staff committed to present a regulatory approach with fee options to the board in the coming month to manage burdensome requests while complying with the law.

Board members asked staff to be mindful of future costs and to return with a policy or regulation outlining allowable fees and administrative procedures. Wagner said she would present the draft regulation in the next meeting cycle.