open records request...

[danchez]

To anyone that has ever written one or has an opinion on how to write one. My local high school said that all I need to do is submit an open records request and I could get the name and address for all the high school seniors. Now my question is, should this just be a short, simple and to the point submission, or??? Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[L Stegall]

Here's a little info about open records in Texas: Texas Attorney General


Here's the page with suggestions on how to request: http://www.oag.state.tx.us/open/requestors.shtml

[danchez]

wow, that was quick, very cool, thanks.

[danchez]

So.... I got a call from the HR department, she was very pleasant, said they didn't have all the info yet and that I should send in another request at the end of September. Then she asks me: "Why did you use a certified letter for this request, you could have just emailed me." D'OH!! ha ha ha

[robert t]

I assume you are doing this in order to contact them for sales purposes. You could make enemies rather than customers. Some parents might go ballistic after finding that someone is getting their kids personal information, no matter how legal it might be. I am surprised they would release information on those who are still juveniles (under 18).

Interesting

[Howard Barlow]

Robert,

In Texas, it is the law. Some schools have a cd or printout ready to hand you, when you walk in and ask. Others bounce you around through several people. In the end, you will get it. Keep in mind, they do have jobs to do, and may only give you the list when it is convenent for them. So, you may have to make numerous trips and phone calls.

[wmanning]

Did anyone see the local Houston news last night? I believe that it was KPRC. One of the reporters did a story on how easy it was to get students personal information, name, age, address and grade from HISD. There was an awful lot of very upset parents. The reporter stated that most of the requests were probably business related in some form or fashion, but all of the parents interviewed were furious that their childs school gave out the information. Side note, HISD charges for the information.

William

[XtremePhoto]

Originally Posted by wmanning

Did anyone see the local Houston news last night? I believe that it was KPRC. One of the reporters did a story on how easy it was to get students personal information, name, age, address and grade from HISD. There was an awful lot of very upset parents. The reporter stated that most of the requests were probably business related in some form or fashion, but all of the parents interviewed were furious that their childs school gave out the information. Side note, HISD charges for the information.

William

HISD and other ISD's can only charge for the costs of the list (preparation etc.)...they CANNOT sell the information.

Further, a student CAN opt out of this and their information WILL NOT be included on this public list, which only has Name, Grade and Address - NOTHING MORE. However, if your child opts out...you will also NOT receive any information or offers from colleges and universities that might be interested in giving your child $$ for School. I haven't noticed anthing that is not related to school, sports, scholarships etc. coming to our address. (I think that ISD's verify the business/organization is actually legitimate before they pass on that information.)

I find it rather amusing how many parents will act "very upset" for the news media, yet when their child isn't on the list for scholarships and school opportunities (because they opted out and the Universities and schools can't contact them) will become even more "upset."

[wmanning]

According to the AG's link that Lisa posted, it is prohibited for the "governmental body" to ask the requestor why they are requesting the open records. I do not recall the number of open records requests that the reporter stated in her piece, but the total dollars that HISD received was only a couple thousand dollars for last year. Glenn was correct by saying the charge was for prep costs only, not selling info outright.

William

[XtremePhoto]

Originally Posted by wmanning

According to the AG's link that Lisa posted, it is prohibited for the "governmental body" to ask the requestor
William

Didn't know that. The only reason I knew anything was asking a friend that is a Super at a school district.

-G-

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by XtremePhoto

... (I think that ISD's verify the business/organization is actually legitimate before they pass on that information.)

No, they do not. I walk into the schools, tell them who I am, and ask for the list, and get it. They do not 'verify' me.

[wmanning]

Howard, I assume that you have done this more than once, my question is, how effective is sending out mass mailings to potential clients? Mass mailings aren't free. Return on investment kinda thing.

William

[Howard Barlow]

Typically, a very small percentage, as with most direct mail. But, like weddings, referrals from their friends works the best, in my experience. You know how kids, who all 'want something different', do what their friends do.

[toverman]

My wife handles Public Information Requests as the public information officer at a school district in the DFW area. She does not verify the reason someone requests a list, and it's a common request from photographers, graduation gown makers, ring manufacturers, the U.S. Army. Parents can opt out their children's "directory" information, and on a related privacy note can request that their child not be photographed/videoed internally or by a media organization (I work for another school district in its communications department, and this is important for us).

The Army has a little more authority, as a special opt-out has to be signed for them to not get a high school senior's directory information. Crazy Congress!

[Rson]

Originally Posted by toverman

My wife handles Public Information Requests as the public information officer at a school district in the DFW area. She does not verify the reason someone requests a list, and it's a common request from photographers, graduation gown makers, ring manufacturers, the U.S. Army. Parents can opt out their children's "directory" information, and on a related privacy note can request that their child not be photographed/videoed internally or by a media organization (I work for another school district in its communications department, and this is important for us).

The Army has a little more authority, as a special opt-out has to be signed for them to not get a high school senior's directory information. Crazy Congress!

PM me.....what School district, I have been in that realm for years. i know many people in that realm and chances are that I have done business with her. Small world.