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Public Information Request

 

Procedures to Obtain Information

  • Submit a request by mail, fax, email, or in person according to Sweeny Independent School District’s (SISD) procedures.
  • Include a clear description and detail about the requested information to enable the SISD to identify and locate the requested information accurately.
  • Cooperate with SISD efforts to clarify the type or amount of information requested.

To request information from the Sweeny Independent School District, send your request in writing (email, mail, fax, or hand-delivered) to:

Christopher Kocurek
Human Resources Director
Daniel Fuller
Superintendent
Phone:  (979) 491-8000
Fax:  (979) 491-8030
Mail:  1310 N. Elm St., Sweeny, TX 77480

Information to be released

  • You may review it promptly (immediately). If it cannot be produced within 10 working days, the Communications Director or Superintendent will notify you in writing of the reasonable date and time when it will be available.
  • Keep all appointments to inspect records and to pick up copies. Failure to keep appointments may result in losing the opportunity to review the information at the time requested.

 

Information that may be withheld due to an exception

  • By the 10th business day after Sweeny Independent School District receives your written request, SISD must:
    • request an Attorney General’s opinion and state which exceptions apply; 
    • notify the requestor of the referral to the Attorney General, and notify third parties if the request involves their proprietary information.
    • Failure to request an Attorney General’s opinion and notify the requestor within 10 business days will result in a presumption that the information is open unless there is a compelling reason to withhold it.
    • Requestors may send a letter to the Attorney General arguing for release and may review arguments made by Sweeny Independent School District.
    • The requestor may obtain a redacted copy of the statements to disclose the requested information.
    • The Attorney General must issue a decision no later than the 45th working day from the day after the attorney general receives the request for a decision.
    • The attorney general may request an additional 10 working day extension.
    • Sweeny Independent School District may not ask the Attorney General to "reconsider" an opinion.

 

Cost of Records

  • You must respond to any written estimate of charges within 10 business days of the date the Sweeny Independent School District sent it, or the request is automatically withdrawn.
  • If estimated costs exceed $100.00, the Sweeny Independent School District may require a bond, prepayment, or deposit.
  • You may ask the Sweeny Independent School District to determine whether providing the information primarily benefits the general public, resulting in a waiver or reduction of charges.
  • Make a timely payment for all mutually agreed charges. Sweeny Independent School District can demand payment of overdue balances exceeding $100.00 or obtain a security deposit before processing additional requests from you.

Sweeny ISD Board Policy:  GBA and GBAA


 

The Public Information Act

The Public Information Act

Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives you the right to access government records; an officer for public information and the officer’s agent may not ask why you want them. All government information is presumed to be available to the public. Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of the data. Governmental bodies shall promptly release requested information that is not confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision, or information for which an exception to disclosure has been sought.

Rights of Requestors:


You have the right to:

  • Prompt access to information that is not confidential or otherwise protected;
  • Receive treatment equal to all other requestors, including accommodation by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements;
  • Receive certain kinds of information without exceptions, like the voting record of public officials and other information;
  • Receive a written statement of estimated charges, when charges exceed $40, in advance of work being started and the opportunity to modify the request in response to the itemized statement;
  • Choose whether to inspect the requested information (most often at no charge), receive copies of the data, or both;
  • A waiver or reduction of charges in the governmental body determines that access to the information primarily benefits the general public;
  • Receive a copy of the communication from the governmental body asking the Office of the Attorney General for a ruling on whether the information can be withheld under one of the accepted exceptions, or if the communication discloses the requested information, a redacted copy;
  • Lodge a written complaint about overcharges for public information with the Texas Building and Procurement Commission. Complaints of other possible violations may be filed with the county or district attorney of the county where the governmental body, other than a state agency, is located. If the complaint is against the county or district attorney, the complaint must be filed with the Office of the Attorney General.
Responsibilities of Governmental Bodies:


All governmental bodies responding to information requests have the responsibility to:

  • Establish reasonable procedures for inspecting or copying public information and inform requestors of these procedures;
  • Treat all requestors uniformly and shall give to the requestor all reasonable comfort and facility, including accommodation by ADA requirements;
  • Be informed about open records laws and educate employees on the requirements of those laws;
  • Inform requestors of the estimated charges greater than $40 and any changes in the estimates above 20 percent of the original estimate, and confirm that the requestor accepts the payments, has amended the request, or has sent a complaint of overcharges to the Texas Building and Procurement Commission, in writing before finalizing the demand;
  • Inform the requestor if the information cannot be provided promptly and set a date and time to offer it within a reasonable time;
  • Request a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General regarding any information that a governmental body wishes to withhold, and send a copy of the request for order, or a redacted copy, to the requestor;
  • Segregate public information from information that may be withheld and provide that general information promptly;
  • Make a reasonable faith effort to inform third parties when their proprietary information is being requested from the governmental body;
  • Respond in writing to all written communications from the Texas Building and Procurement Commission regarding charges for the information. Respond to the Office of the Attorney General regarding complaints about violations of the Act.

Complaints about the Process

For complaints regarding failure to release public information, please contact:

Open Records Hotline:
512-478-OPEN (6736)
877-OPEN-TEX (673-6839)

Open Government Cost Hotline:
512-475-2497
888-OR-COSTS (672-6787)