from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
to: Bill Nolte <[email protected]>
cc: Patrick Smathers <[email protected]> date: Feb 26, 2019, 4:26 PM
subject: Records Request: (Follow Up) New request – Haywood County Schools
Good Afternoon Haywood County Schools,
We received another request to our website for info that may be available in your office (message details further below).
Sunshine Request (www.sunshinerequest.com) is a website we built (we’re in Asheville, NC) to promote government transparency by making it easier for Citizens to make public records requests, as well as learn about the records process. We do not ask for identifying info to be provided by site users in order for us to send their request. We’re happy to provide our name on their behalf, when it’s clear there is a policy that requires this information. We serve as a proxy between the sender and the government by sending the requests / follow ups on the sender’s behalf, and posting the results publicly on our site for anyone to see.
In our previous emails related to 3 requests involving Haywood County Schools (Listed here: Haywood County Schools certification, Pisgah High School, and Tuscola High School) we asked Patrick Smathers for further clarification on the policy or statute referenced that would require us to provide a name in order for HCS to fulfill a public request––specifically, this request related to his comment that “We will be pleased to respond to this “person’s” request upon identification, or upon further documentation that a computer application is a “person” as defined by the statute.” We did not receive that clarification for users on our site to reference, and are still wondering what policy or statute is it that defines a “person”, or requires a person to provide their name / proof they’re “real.” Without that clarification, those requests have been “Closed”.
We’d like to make sure we have the most accurate info possible for users on our site that makes clear how we should address requests specifically related to Haywood County Schools in the future. Not only does this save our team and users of our site time asking questions, but also we’re sure this can save staff time for HCS and Patrick Smathers when answering requests. To our knowledge, NC Public Records law does not require a person’s name or info be given to fulfill a request, but if this is incorrect, please let us know! We’d greatly appreciate if you please cite exact school policy or records law statute that requires this info, and we’ll be happy to provide one at time. As we continue to receive requests related to HC School system, we’ll continue to ask for clarification on these policies, until that info. Is received.
We appreciate your time and assistance with the request!
Sunshine Request
The purpose of this email is to pass along the new request. Here are the details:
Editor’s Note: Sunshine Request makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests we receive.
Subject: “(Follow Up) New request – Haywood County Schools”
Message: “I previously made a request for the name for two teachers hired at North Canton Elementary and the hire dates.
Your response was that I had to give a name in order for you to process this request. That information is false and no statute or
name must be given for a public records request. In fact, a person does not even need to be a resident of North Carolina to
initiate a public records request. Can your custodian of records provide a statute stating where a name must be given and a
reason for denial of a State Law?
Haywood County Schools is a public school in North Carolina and is funded by tax money. Even the department of education releases names, certification areas, and dates of certification right on their website with absolutely no information given from the person inquiring. Your own district, through each school’s website, posts the names of faculty members. I would now like to add to the list for my public records request:
– I would like the name and position of every employee hired at North Canton Elementary school since August 2018.
– I would also like to request the name of the science teacher hired in February 2019 at Canton Middle School.
– In addition, can you please provide the policy for not interviewing a certified and highly qualified teacher for positions they have applied to and that are currently still available?
All of this information is in the public’s interest as it relates to equal employment opportunity.”
Thank you for your help!
Have a good evening,
Sunshine Request
Status:
Sent to Government
