Snow Day, State of Emergency, Withheld Education (South Colonie Central School District)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:

Pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), I am requesting the following records:

All communications, including emails, memos, and other written documents, related to the decision to cancel remote instruction on 3/14/23, specifically as it relates to the State of Emergency declared by the State of New York due to inclement weather.

Any policies, guidelines, or procedures related to the decision-making process for cancelling remote instruction during inclement weather and/or a State of Emergency.

Any documents related to funding differences between a regular school day, snow day off of school, snow day with remote instruction, and no instruction and school cancelled with a State of Emergency for the State of New York.

Any other documents or information related to the decision to cancel remote instruction on 3/14/23.

Additionally, I am requesting any records or information related to the potential impact of cancelling remote instruction on student learning, including but not limited to any identified learning loss or negative impacts on academic progress. Specifically, I am requesting any records or communications related to the report published by NYS Comptrollers Office [1] on 3/13/23, which identified concerns related to learning loss and academic progress.

I am making this request in the public interest as it relates to the use of public funds, the decision-making process for cancelling remote instruction during inclement weather and/or a State of Emergency, and the potential impact on student learning. I request that the records be provided in electronic format, if possible.

[1] https://www.osc.state.ny.us/press/releases/2023/03/dinapoli-federal-data-shows-new-yorks-losses-fourth-grade-math-and-reading-scores-are-double-national

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Jackson Parker

Thank you for your response to my Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request dated March 14, 2023, regarding communications related to the decision to cancel remote instruction on March 14, 2023, as it relates to the State of Emergency declared by the State of New York due to inclement weather, policies, guidelines, or procedures related to the decision-making process for cancelling remote instruction during inclement weather and/or a State of Emergency, documents related to funding differences between a regular school day, snow day off of school, snow day with remote instruction, and no instruction and school cancelled with a State of Emergency for the State of New York, and any other documents or information related to the decision to cancel remote instruction on 3/14/23, and potential impact on student learning.

Your response stated that no documents in your records exist per FOIL request. As a result, I am respectfully requesting a certification pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89(3), stating that a diligent search for the requested records has been conducted, and that the search failed to locate any responsive records.

In my initial request, I stated that I am making this request in the public interest as it relates to the use of public funds, the decision-making process for cancelling remote instruction during inclement weather and/or a State of Emergency, and the potential impact on student learning. I believe that the requested records are essential to the public interest and that they should be made available.

I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and request that you provide the certification within five business days, as required by law. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.