901 - Public Examination of School District Records

Public records of the school district may be viewed by the public during the regular business hours of the administration offices of the school district.  These hours are 9      a.m. to  3  p.m. Monday through Friday, except for holidays and recesses.

Persons wishing to view the school district's public records will contact the board secretary and make arrangements for the viewing.  The board secretary will make arrangements for viewing the records as soon as practicable, depending on the nature of the request.

Persons may request copies of public records by telephone or in writing, including electronically.  The school district may require pre-payment of the costs prior to copy and mailing. 

 

Persons wanting copies may be assessed a reasonable fee for the copy.  Persons wanting compilation of information may be assessed a reasonable fee for the time of the employee to review and compile the requested information. The district will make every effort to provide the public record requested at no cost other than copying costs for a record which takes less than thirty minutes to produce. 

Costs for legal services utilized for the redaction or review of legally protected confidential information may also be assessed to the individual requesting the records.  Printing of materials for the public at the expense of the school district will only occur when the event is sponsored by the school district.

Pursuant to Iowa law, the board has determined certain records need to be confidential as their disclosure could jeopardize the safety of persons or property and include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Security procedures
• Emergency preparedness procedures
• Evacuation procedures
• Security codes and passwords

It is the responsibility of the board secretary to maintain accurate and current records of the school district.  It is the responsibility of the board secretary to respond in a timely manner to requests for viewing and receiving public information of the school district.

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy and is consistent with the Iowa public records law regarding access to, copying of and charging for copies of public records.  By law, individuals have a right to access public records during the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. unless the board sets other hours.  IASB recommends that the board establish specific hours in board policy, and blanks are provided in the first paragraph for that purpose.        

 

Legal Reference:             Iowa Code §§ 21.4; 22.7; 291.6.

Cross Reference:             215  Board of Directors' Records

                                      401.5  Employee Records

                                      506  Student Records

                                      708  Care, Maintenance, and Disposal of School District Records

                                      902.1 News Media Relations

Approved     October 17, 2022                Reviewed                      Revised:  September 18, 2023