Boston Busing Crisis 1974-1988 (Department of Education)

Dear Mr. Farkus -

I write to acknowledge receipt of your email and to respectfully request that you resubmit this request via the Department's Public Records Center<https://massdese.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(d214ahlpjyw4weaxloyxjc4c))/supporthome.aspx>. Of course, under the Public Records Law, you are not obligated to resubmit your request, but doing so in this case will help improve the Department's ability to process it, track and monitor it, to ultimately to respond to it in a timely fashion. Ordinarily, I would import this request for you myself, but because I lack contact information for you I cannot do so.

In addition, the Department fields records requests from the media through a single contact person, Jackie Reis. Designating this request for Jackie in the Department's Public Records Center should be self-explanatory.

If you have questions, you can reach me by use of the contact information below. Thank you, - Josh

Joshua Varon
Legal Counsel
Legal Office 781-338-3400
jvaron@doe.mass.edu<mailto:jvaron@doe.mass.edu>

Legal Office
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148
Web<http://www.doe.mass.edu/>

Confidentiality Notice: This electronic transmission is for the intended recipient only and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. Any review, dissemination, or use of this transmission or any of its contents by persons other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you receive this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately upon receipt and delete or destroy the communication and its attachments. Thank you for your cooperation.

Dear Mackenzie Farkus,
Thank you for your interest in public records of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Your request has been received and is being processed.  Your request was received in this office on February 08, 2019 and given the reference number P000470-020819 for tracking purposes.

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

--- Please respond above this line ---

Hi Mackenzie,
I wanted to let you know that I received your request while I was at a conference last week and am now back in the office. I will see what we have.
Jackie

Hello,

Unfortunately your email was not recognized and has not been routed accordingly.  Please be advised that if you wish to submit a new request or check on the status of an already submitted request, you should visit the Public Records Center. Description: TO: "Public Records Center (Mass ESE)"[massdese@mycusthelp.net]Department of EducationPRL Office75 Pleasant StreetMalden, MA 02148-4906February 15, 2019This is a follow up to request number P000470-020819:Hi Jackie,Thanks for letting me know! Keep me updated.Thanks,Mackenzie FarkusFiled via MuckRock.comE-mail (Preferred): 68625-51641513@requests.muckrock.comUpload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/accounts/agency_login/department-of-education-31/boston-busing-crisis-1974-1988-department-of-education-68625/?uuid-login=3e1d035c-c5d5-4d24-8431-8130bac5b10d&email=massdese%40mycusthelp.net#agency-replyIs this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the above link to let us know.For mailed responses, please address (see note):MuckRock NewsDEPT MR 68625411A Highland AveSomerville, MA 02144-2516PLEASE NOTE: This request was filed by a MuckRock staff reporter. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.---On Feb. 11, 2019:

This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.

Hello,

Unfortunately your email was not recognized and has not been routed accordingly.  Please be advised that if you wish to submit a new request or check on the status of an already submitted request, you should visit the Public Records Center. Description: TO: "Public Records Center (Mass ESE)"[massdese@mycusthelp.net]Department of EducationPRL Office75 Pleasant StreetMalden, MA 02148-4906February 15, 2019This is a follow up to request number P000470-020819:Hi Jackie,Thanks for letting me know! Keep me updated.Thanks,Mackenzie FarkusFiled via MuckRock.comE-mail (Preferred): 68625-51641513@requests.muckrock.comUpload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/accounts/agency_login/department-of-education-31/boston-busing-crisis-1974-1988-department-of-education-68625/?uuid-login=3e1d035c-c5d5-4d24-8431-8130bac5b10d&email=massdese%40mycusthelp.net#agency-replyIs this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the above link to let us know.For mailed responses, please address (see note):MuckRock NewsDEPT MR 68625411A Highland AveSomerville, MA 02144-2516PLEASE NOTE: This request was filed by a MuckRock staff reporter. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.---On Feb. 11, 2019:

This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.

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08/15/2019

Ms. Mackenzie Farkus
DEPT MR 67548 411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA  02144
RE:  Request for Public Records #P000470-020819
Dear Ms. Mackenzie Farkus:
On February 08, 2019 you requested certain public records from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“Department”). These records include: "To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:

All documents on or related to the Boston Busing Crisis, which lasted from 1974-1988.

I am a career journalist with work that has appeared in various publications such as MuckRock, The Simmons Voice, and The Westwood Horizon. I am willing to pay any reasonable expenses associated with this request, however, as the purpose of the requested disclosure is in full conformity with the statutory requirements for a waiver of fees, I formally request such a waiver.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

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 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Mackenzie Farkus" Upon review, I’ve determined that most of the records that relate to your request are stored in state archives. The Massachusetts State Archives are located at 220 Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA 02125. For a research project like this that could require pulling a significant number of boxes from the vault, and because some of the records could potentially contain personal information restricted under MGLA c 4, s 7, cl 26(c) and c 66, it would be helpful to arrange a time to visit prior to coming in so that they can make sure ample staff is available to assist. If you are interested in viewing these files, the Archives suggest you contact them directly to arrange a time. They are open for research 8:30-4:30, Monday-Friday, 617-727-2816. In addition, I’ve uncovered in DESE a limited amount of other records that may be relevant.  Are you still interested in reviewing records in the possession of DESE? If you wish to discuss this request or the Department’s response, you can reach me by use of the contact information below. Additionally, please be advised that if you wish to challenge this response, you may appeal to the Supervisor of Public Records following the procedure contained in 950 C.M.R. § 32.08(2).
Sincerely,
Jackie Reis
Commissioner’s Office
To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Public Records Center (https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=Ow1KccipsoIsnXbuEgm-2FNz-2BZTHlsaBUWo88fIwrlPslJxqNj7EsavVKw9LKLzDp8wlehX6fs6EizZ1espWdWPwAglRnOKfcEnWoGnP8LXczaLQqIbTmYTFMC9H7vkKnb_foAVVJrskSZIobiB-2Fy5EzC-2BSrevzWZEJn1Db-2FRhA6ZqIe91-2BpBg2NUDcG6iRVmw6ByYcKKnv-2FLtRENJrZEn3yKaercPOtRnGCpsKp30v-2BJCv5RY79OzAPxT9YII1TyO2HYVOKaHW-2FovQaoPJZoo0hqG7LjQWSOQvG0Nl2LXvVPmRIJtJG3is6ZGf3lRpISTXhiD5CzPnHr6WSpJbeg1DiBsMZQ6TtTypY-2BuMLdzUKlnfjoe-2FJUn01D1inzM2-2BwrhNZkczqx8I1K6ywSMGSPIYoR1l7lqbfhA59XoPlR7YHTUE1jY9PTAg05pCTKKoLEgjcSgJUHAbjzZXE1-2F48KDxUNyGrESFa042u9iaFIv0dRWUlq0KJMyOcuoh-2BJaYAJjTP9NKoSW4reL3bLEsd9nMw-3D-3D)

Hello,

Unfortunately your email was not recognized and has not been routed accordingly.  Please be advised that if you wish to submit a new request or check on the status of an already submitted request, you should visit the Public Records Center. Description: TO: "Public Records Center (Mass ESE)"[massdese@mycusthelp.net]

Department of Education
PRL Office
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
August 19, 2019
This is a follow up to request number P000470-020819:
Hello Jackie,
I'm interested in reviewing the limited amount of records that the DESE possesses. And thank you for the tip about the archives!
Best,
Mackenzie Farkus
Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com
Upload documents directly: https://accounts.muckrock.com/accounts/login/?url_auth_token=AAAVDVMSvStv9lVDP9R6_KatG64%3A1hzjt1%3AUhMYVMqPQcDbZw1Sm0LOUH8E0jE&next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.muckrock.com%2Faccounts%2Flogin%2F%3Fnext%3D%252Faccounts%252Fagency_login%252Fdepartment-of-education-31%252Fboston-busing-crisis-1974-1988-department-of-education-68625%252F%253Femail%253Dmassdese%252540mycusthelp.net
Is this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the above link to let us know.
For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 68625
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
PLEASE NOTE: This request was filed by a MuckRock staff reporter. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.
---
On Aug. 15, 2019:
Subject: Public Records Request :: P000470-020819

This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.

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Good afternoon Ms. Farkus,
To follow up on the message sent to you on Thursday, August 15, 2019, if you are interested in viewing the materials we have at the Department, please contact us before Thursday, August 29, 2019 to arrange a time. If we do not hear from you by that date, we will consider this request closed.
Thank you,
Courtney Sullivan Courtney.sullivan@doe.mass.edu (mailto:Courtney.sullivan@doe.mass.edu)
Commissioner's Office
To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Public Records Center (https://u8387795.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/click?upn=Ow1KccipsoIsnXbuEgm-2FNz-2BZTHlsaBUWo88fIwrlPslJxqNj7EsavVKw9LKLzDp8wlehX6fs6EizZ1espWdWPwAglRnOKfcEnWoGnP8LXczaLQqIbTmYTFMC9H7vkKnb_foAVVJrskSZIobiB-2Fy5EzC-2BSrevzWZEJn1Db-2FRhA6ZqIe91-2BpBg2NUDcG6iRVmw6ByYcKKnv-2FLtRENJrZEn3yIc04n74fbwkuwajwG7cJNnM0MaPpdbkbsQnvHnPI-2Fkfa-2FffzCzSLHzlqoHvvQapFggkNHdUIQj-2FSHfEL87kcZlFwUuMHLaACXOyZFSaVharqMoofw-2B6L03Lu8A5DXuryeSTM8h-2BJldJhAJVUgDzVJqu7VfJVudm-2Fd-2FEBNH6rkVqVSrZoSTCcwqmJmmJmzTGzpZXXo1GRU5QM6PBxu8wY265DdOiY8NzIlQwdqXrYuYRkzwJodAKDiQ9e0GwZ9cMB7H-2BFzUEymE7wDGoisnlVJJirepJ5XnIflLgM1Uc4suq)

Hello,

Unfortunately your email was not recognized and has not been routed accordingly.  Please be advised that if you wish to submit a new request or check on the status of an already submitted request, you should visit the Public Records Center. Description: TO: [massdese@mycusthelp.net]

Department of Education
PRL Office
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
September 5, 2019
This is a follow up to request number P000470-020819:
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 7, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #P000470-020819.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com
Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Is this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the above link to let us know.
For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 68625
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
PLEASE NOTE: This request was filed by a MuckRock staff reporter. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.
---
On Aug. 21, 2019:
Subject: Public Records Request :: P000470-020819

This is an auto-generated email and has originated from an unmonitored email account. Please DO NOT REPLY.