FOIL Request: Investigation of Systemic Delays and Non-Responsiveness in FOIL Request Handling
| Tracking # |
DEPT MR 155093 |
| Submitted | Nov. 25, 2023 |
| Due | Dec. 1, 2023 |
| Est. Completion | Jan. 3, 2024 |
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Communications
From: Jackson Parker
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:
1. Detailed Staffing Records: Records of staffing levels within the department responsible for handling FOIL requests from January 1, 2019, to present, including any changes in staffing levels.
2. FOIL Request Logs: Logs or records of all FOIL requests received by the department from January 1, 2019, to present, including dates of receipt, nature of requests, and status of each request.
3. Correspondence on Staffing and Resource Allocation: Internal and external correspondence and memos related to staffing levels, resource allocation, and challenges in handling FOIL requests from January 1, 2019, to present.
4. Requests for Additional Staff or Resources: Formal requests made by the department or Records Access Officer for additional staffing or resources to handle FOIL requests, including responses to these requests, from January 1, 2019, to present.
5. Policies and Procedures: A copy of the current policies and procedures for handling and responding to FOIL requests, including guidelines for timelines and prioritization of requests.
6. Training Records: Records of any training provided to staff responsible for handling FOIL requests from January 1, 2019, to present.
7. Performance Reviews or Evaluations: Performance reviews or evaluations of the Records Access Officer and staff responsible for handling FOIL requests.
8. Aggregated Analysis of All FOIL Requests: An analysis of all FOIL requests made to the district, including the context, days outstanding, reasons cited for delays or non-compliance, and overall timeline and pattern of responses or lack thereof.
This request is made in the public interest to assess the efficacy and transparency of the Niskayuna Central School District in responding to FOIL requests.
Request for expedited processing:
Based on an aggregated analysis of FOIL requests made to the Niskayuna Central School District, as documented on MuckRock, there is a concerning pattern of delayed and non-responsive FOIL requests. Several requests, including inquiries about district communications, policies, and administrative records, have remained pending or under appeal for extended periods, with the district frequently citing staffing issues and the volume of requests as reasons for delay. This pattern raises serious concerns about whether the district is intentionally avoiding responses or failing to manage staffing effectively to meet its regulatory and legal obligations under FOIL. Given this context, there is a compelling need for expedited processing of this FOIL request to ensure transparency and accountability in the district's handling of public information requests.
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
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 25, 2023. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Niskayuna Central School District
Good morning Jackson,
On behalf of Records Access Officer, Matt Leon, attached please find the
acknowledgement of your request received November 27, 2023.
Best Regards,
--
*Teresa Dunkin*
*Executive Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent of Business and
Operations*
*Niskayuna Central School District*
1239 VanAntwerp Road. Niskayuna, NY 12309
tdunkin@niskyschools.org
(518) 377-4666 ext 50712
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 25, 2023. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Jan. 3, 2024. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #DEPT MR 155093.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 25, 2023. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Jan. 3, 2024. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #DEPT MR 155093.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 25, 2023. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Jan. 3, 2024. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #DEPT MR 155093.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 25, 2023. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Jan. 3, 2024. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #DEPT MR 155093.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 25, 2023. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Jan. 3, 2024. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #DEPT MR 155093.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 25, 2023. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Jan. 3, 2024. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #DEPT MR 155093.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 25, 2023. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Jan. 3, 2024. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #DEPT MR 155093.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm following up on the following New York Freedom of Information Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 25, 2023. You had previously indicated that it would be completed on Jan. 3, 2024. I wanted to check on the status of my request, and to see if there was a new estimated completion date. You had assigned it reference number #DEPT MR 155093.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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