Snow Day, State of Emergency, Withheld Education (Bethlehem Central School District, Delmar)

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

Dear Superintendent,

I am writing to appeal the effective denial of my Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request submitted on March 14, 2023, to the Bethlehem Central School District, Delmar. The request sought various records related to the decision to cancel remote instruction on March 14, 2023, specifically in relation to the State of Emergency declared by the State of New York due to inclement weather.

The school district confirmed receipt of my request on March 21, 2023, and stated that it was conducting the necessary research to determine if information was available to address the specifics of the request. However, despite multiple follow-ups on my part, I have not received any further communication or response from the school district.

Under Public Officers Law §89(4)(a), an agency has five business days to grant or deny access to records in whole or in part, or if more time is needed, to acknowledge the receipt of a request in writing and provide a date and location when the record will be available. As of today, it has been well beyond the statutory timeline, and I have not received any records or any update on the status of my request.

I kindly request that you review this matter and provide a response to my FOIL request as required by law. I look forward to your prompt attention to this matter.