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Board affirms prior resolution and adopts updated policy on public-records index
Summary
Trustees affirmed a 2015 resolution on public-records indexes and adopted an updated resolution clarifying that the district will comply with public-records requests while declining to maintain an unduly burdensome searchable index of all records.
The Mercer Island School Board on June 9 affirmed an earlier board resolution regarding access to a public‑records index and adopted a revised resolution (No. 745) clarifying how the district will handle requests for an index of public records.
Staff and directors said state law contemplates an “index” of public records but recognizes that maintaining a continuously updated, comprehensive index of all records (for example, all email correspondence) can be unduly burdensome and frequently inaccurate. The updated resolution affirms the district’s commitment to processing public-records requests under Washington law while documenting the district’s rationale for not maintaining an exhaustive public index when doing so would be unreasonable.
Why it matters: The board said the update responds to recent “amendment audit” tactics in which some requestors seek voluminous indexes to generate public reaction and video content. District leaders said a clear, board‑adopted resolution helps the district explain why it will process requests under the Public Records Act but not maintain a continually updated, comprehensive index when doing so would be excessively burdensome.
Vote and next steps Trustees voted by roll call to affirm the prior resolution and to adopt the updated resolution number 745. Staff said they will include an explanatory note in the board brief to make sure public materials explain that the resolution does not affect routine public-records logs or the district’s obligation to respond to records requests under RCW 42.56.
