Board member asks for review of FOIA response process and proposes weekly “agenda building” item

During board correspondence at the June 24 meeting, Board member Mark Shervat asked the Board of Education to examine the district’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) response procedures after a public records request for a one-page document (performance and improvement goals approved in September) was delivered to the requester two weeks after the FOIA was filed.

Shervat said the FOIA request was filed April 20; the district’s FOIA officer requested an extension to April 28 and the record was produced to the requester on May 5. Shervat asked why a one-page document that had been published on the September agenda took roughly two and a half weeks to produce, described the delay as frustrating and said the public has a right to timely access to public records. He asked the board to schedule a discussion about FOIA procedures and suggested the district consider adopting a weekly or recurring agenda item similar to Sycamore School District’s “agenda building” or “future agenda items” slot that allows board members to raise items for future discussion.

No formal action was taken at the meeting. The board did not adopt new FOIA procedures at that time; Shervat asked to meet with the district FOIA officer and requested the board consider a full discussion of FOIA handling and the possible “agenda building” practice at a future meeting.

The concern was raised during the board correspondence portion of the meeting (not as part of an agenda item or public comment) and will require follow-up from the district FOIA officer or administrative staff if the board decides to place FOIA process review on a future agenda.