Enrollment Projection Source Data - Live Birth Data, etc. (Schalmont Central School District)

To Whom It May Concern:

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

Live Birth Data including constant birth rate, long term, short term and average birth rates for within the district for current and previous 6 years.

Birth to Kindergarten Survival Ratio used for the past 10 years by year.

Projected Kindergarten Enrollment for the past 10 years by year, and supporting data.

Any communications with NYS DOH or County DOH or other data service provider requesting, receiving or inquiring regarding live birth data, birth to kindergarten survival rate or other statistical data used for projecting enrollment.

Copies of all enrollment projections for the past 6 years and source statistical data, including but not limited to live birth data which were used to provide projected enrollment data upon which securities purchasers rely.

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 for live birth data, birth rates, survival ratios, and enrollment projections for the Schalmont Central School District. While I appreciate your prompt response, I am writing to request clarification on the district's position regarding responsive records.

In your response, you stated that the district has no records available related to my FOIL request. However, upon further research, I have found that the district has provided enrollment trend data in their official statement to investors of their municipal securities, which suggests that the district does in fact maintain records related to enrollment projections and supporting statistical data.

Given this information, I am requesting that the district provide a detailed explanation as to why they have stated that no records are available related to my FOIL request. If the district does in fact maintain records related to live birth data, birth rates, survival ratios, and enrollment projections, I request that all responsive records be made available to me as soon as possible, and no later than the 20 business days required by the FOIL law.

I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your prompt response.

Source document: https://emma.msrb.org/P21664261.pdf (page 12)

To answer your questions, scope includes "
Live Birth Data including constant birth rate, long term, short term and average birth rates for within the district for current and previous 6 years.

Birth to Kindergarten Survival Ratio used for the past 10 years by year.

Projected Kindergarten Enrollment for the past 10 years by year, and supporting data.

Any communications with NYS DOH or County DOH or other data service provider requesting, receiving or inquiring regarding live birth data, birth to kindergarten survival rate or other statistical data used for projecting enrollment.

Copies of all enrollment projections for the past 6 years and source statistical data, including but not limited to live birth data which were used to provide projected enrollment data upon which securities purchasers rely.

"

Dear Ms. Leitt,

Thank you for your response and for directing me to the county for live birth data. I appreciate your willingness to provide enrollment projections for the coming school year, but I must reiterate that I am seeking any records, materials, or communications regarding live birth data, birth rates, survival ratios, and enrollment projections from the Schalmont Central School District. While I understand that the district may not have access to all of the data requested, I am hoping that there may be some relevant information available that can shed light on these topics.

As you may already know, the last dataset published by the state with regard to live birth data, birth rates, survival ratios, and enrollment projections by district is from 2019. Given that this data is critical for capital planning and district planning across multiple districts, accurate enrollment projections are essential for districts to undertake any construction projects or other initiatives that require them. Hence, I kindly request the district to conduct a thorough search for any responsive records or communications related to the aforementioned data points, including any requests made to the state or county. Please note that multiple counties have stated that they are not in possession of this data and have directed me to NYS Bureau of Vital Statistics. Therefore, any information, records, or communications that the district can provide in this regard would be greatly appreciated.

It is clear that the state has stopped distributing this data package, and I am looking for any communications from various districts regarding the topic as the state has withheld this information from the public. As such, any information that the district can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.

Hi,

Thanks so much for your help with this request! I really appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Jackson Parker