Board moves to require written public‑records requests after appeal

The board addressed a public‑records appeal from resident Jay Blackburn and received legal guidance from Kara Parker, the board’s OSBA legal advisor. Parker explained that “every writing or every photograph…created by any district employee” is a public record and that notes prepared to guide oral statements are considered public records but may not have retention requirements; she advised the board that if the document existed it would need to be produced but that there is no retention obligation for certain types of notes.

Board discussion focused on preventing future missed requests. Several board members proposed requiring that public‑records requests be submitted in writing and directed to a specified job title rather than to a particular person so requests are not lost to spam or individual inboxes. A board member formally moved to amend policy to require written requests and to list the job title that receives them; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

The board agreed to place an amended public‑records policy on the July agenda for formal consideration. Legal counsel advised members they may watch the March 18 meeting video individually to gather information relevant to an existing complaint, but cautioned against deliberating outside public session.