Auburn School District Personnel Records – Lynda Stoddard, Jon Aarstad, Daman Hunter, Mike Weibel, Susan Wraspir, Vicki Bates, Jennifer Clouser, and Debbie Leighton

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

I request the following public records under RCW 42.56:

All non-exempt personnel records of the following Auburn School District Employees:

Lynda Loree Stoddard
Jon Douglas Aarstad
Daman Mandel Hunter
Michael Alden Weibel
Susan Pauline Wraspir
Vicki Bates
Jennifer Lynn Clouser
Debbie Leighton (retired)

Responsive records should include all non-exempt personnel records defined by RCW 42.56.010(1)(2)(3) and (4).

This request is not for profit.

To be clear (clar·i·fy) this request for public records is in the public’s best interest.

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,

PRA WATCH

Hello,

I confirm I want the district to move forward with my records request.

On the date of my original records request (05-07-2020), Auburn School District policy was dated 02-09-16 (a copy of which is attached to this communication). This District policy contained no fee schedule for Public Records Requests whatsoever. RCW 42.56.120 – “Charges for copying” contains statutory legal guidelines the District cannot retroactively adopt only AFTER a public records request has been received. Such as in this request originally dated 05-07-2020.

Please provide a detailed breakdown of the summary of charges you are proposing for document production with this request (RCW 42.56.120 (f)) and please reference any fees per District public policy that was in effect on 05-07-2020.

I would prefer a cost estimate based on CD-ROM or usb flash drive if these solutions are more cost effective than email transmission of the responsive documents.

Finally, if any valid fees are properly calculated and applied please provide the name and address where I can remit a check to satisfy any valid statutory costs.

Thank you.

September 9, 2020

Public Records Officer
Auburn School District
915 4th ST NE
Auburn, WA 98002

RE: MUCKROCK PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST DATED 05-07-2020

Revised Code of Washington - RCW 42.56.120(f) - Charges for copying:

(f) A requestor may ask an agency to provide, and if requested an agency shall provide, a summary of the applicable charges before any copies are made and the requestor may revise the request to reduce the number of copies to be made and reduce the applicable charges.

This Original public records request was made on 05-07-2020.

The Auburn School District ignored the Original Request and did not promptly respond to the request as required by RCW 42.56.520(1).

On 06-24-2020 The Auburn School District demanded a payment of $169.31 to "create an electronic file as the cost of scanning and transmitting the requested documents” was allegedly $169.31.

The original requestor made a good faith request for a summary of applicable charges per RCW 42.56.120(f) to Auburn School District on 07-21-2020.

As of this date (09-09-2020) Auburn School District has ignored RCW 42.56.120(f) and refused to respond. Further, the District has withheld the records requested.

The District has left the original requestor no choice but to concede to the District's iniquitous demand for $169.31 for which the District has not demonstrated costs incurred, nor allowed the requestor the opportunity to revise the original request - a right retained by citizens under Washington State Law.

Enclosed is a USPS Money Order for $169.31 as satisfaction of the District’s demand for fees.

Auburn School District Policy 4040P in effect on the date of the original request, 05-07-2020 does not contain any Public Records Act document fee schedule nor does the policy contain any rules or regulations declaring the reason the District need not calculate the actual costs it charges for providing public records because doing so would be unduly burdensome as required by RCW 42.56.120.

Please provide all requested public records electronically as per the original public records request as well as a complete privilege/exemption log identifying any withheld documents including a brief explanation for withholding or redacting a specific page or document as required by RCW 42.56.210(3).

At present, the original requestor reserves the right to seek relief and damages under the law for District violations of RCW 42.56.520(1) and RCW 42.56.120 and RCW 42.56.120 (f) inclusive.

Thank you.

The following is in response to your request for proof of delivery on your item with the tracking number: 7018 0360 0002 3203 1909

Status: Delivered, Front Desk/Reception/Mail Room
Status Date / Time: September 11, 2020, 10:07 am
Location: AUBURN, WA 98002
Postal Product: First-Class Mail®
Extra Services: Certified Mail™
Return Receipt Electronic

Signature of Recipient: ATTACHED
Address of Recipient: ATTACHED

Note: Scanned image may reflect a different destination address due to Intended Recipient's delivery instructions on file.

Thank you for selecting the United States Postal Service® for your mailing needs. If you require additional
assistance, please contact your local Post Office™ or a Postal representative at 1-800-222-1811.

Sincerely,
United States Postal Service®
475 L'Enfant Plaza SW
Washington, D.C. 20260-0004

Hello,

The District has now received a USPS Money Order in the amount of $169.31 as satisfaction in full of the District’s previous unsupported demand for fees “to create an electronic file for 1,505 pages of personnel records.”

Please provide all 1,505 pages of requested public personnel records electronically as per the original public records request as well as a complete privilege/exemption log identifying any withheld documents including a brief explanation for the withholding or redacting of a specific page or portion of a document as required by RCW 42.56.210(3).

Please explain the District’s latest refusal to provide responsive records in a timely manner.

A Public records request was received.

Responsive records have been located.

The District demanded fees.

The fee were paid.

The District received the fees.

Nevertheless, the District produces ZERO responsive records.

Please provide the records located and a complete privilege/exemption log.

Thank you.

Good Morning,

I am emailing you today to request a status update on a Washington State Public Records Request filed back on May, 7 2020.

I believe the request was a not for profit "sunshine law" request for non exempt personnel records of a handful of current and former public employees.

If your Public Records Officer could please provide an update on the status of the May 7, 2019 records request it would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Good Morning,

I am emailing you today to request a status update on a Washington State Public Records Request filed back on May, 7 2020.

I believe you stated on 09-22-2020:

"The records will be released on September 29, 2020 if no protective legal action is taken by the employees."

Because today is September 30, 2020 and no records have been produced I understand protective legal action must have been initiated by the employees.

Would you be so kind as to share the date, cause number, county, and court in which the protective legal action was filed?

Any information you can provide regarding these public records would be most appreciated.

Thank you.