An AP story on a survey by Pennsylvania newspapers on the implementation of the 2009 Open Records Law shows considerable progress but still a way to go.
My sense is that the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records is doing a good job of enforcing the public’s right to see public records — while fending off a few requests whose goal might be harassment. An example of the latter category, in July a judge (responding to a lawsuit by the PSEA) issued a temporary restraining order barring the release of the home addresses of school employees — a decision the Office of Open Records applied to all public employees. I agree. The judge was right.
The AP article says that almost all (64 of 65) requests to school districts for copies of a superintendents’ contracts were filled without difficulty. A more important request would be for copies of the union contract. Districts should comply with that one (or make it unnecessary) by posting those contracts online.
10:02 pm on January 4th, 2010 1
I freely admit to being a complete newbie to the issues that Open Records poses, and I suspect that there will be considerable gnashing of teeth over the information that is brought out into the sunshine; however, if board members recognize that the new law provides an opportunity to educate their communities, to share the really complex and knotty decisions they face, and to leverage these opportunities into deep discussions about the future of education in their communities and, indeed, the state and nation; I believe we will be a stronger nation for it.
We’re facing some mighty big financial and priority challenges nationwide. I firmly believe that an educated populace CAN make good decisions about these challenges, but they need good information. In the absence of good facts and critical-thinking skills, we get fear-mongering, demagoguery, and blathering by talking heads. This is not a good alternative, however messy Open Records might appear.