FOIA Log
| Submitted | Aug. 1, 2018 |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Carolyn Komatsoulis
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
Your agency's FOIA request log covering 2017 and 2018, which includes a field showing the subject of each request and a field for the final disposition.
Further, I request that this document be sent in any digital formats in which it exists (such as PDF and Excel).
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. 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.
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 10 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Komatsoulis
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 1, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Texas Education Agency
Public Information Request
Receipt Acknowledgement
August 6, 2018
Carolyn Komatsoulis
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 58867
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
TEA PIR #34502
Dear Carolyn Komatsoulis:
Thank you for contacting the Texas Education Agency. I want to acknowledge receipt of your request below. Your request number is PIR # 34502.
Our Public Information Request Coordinators are processing your request in coordination with the area(s) that may have the responsive information/data. A response to your request should be provided on or before 10 business days: August 15, 2018. Should you not receive a response within this timeline, please do not hesitate to contact our office and ask to speak to one of our Coordinators.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me at (512) 463-3464 or by email at PIR@tea.texas.gov<file:///C:/Users/fzuma/AppData/Local/Temp/PIR@tea.texas.gov>.
Sincerely,
Dana Colbert
Public Information Coordinator
Enclosure: Original Request
-
Texas Public Information Act Request: FOIA Log
From: Texas Education Agency
Public Information Request
Request for Clarification
August 15, 2018
Carolyn Komatsoulis
Muckrock News
DEPT MR 58867
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
TEA PIR #34502
Dear Carolyn Komatsoulis:
On August 1, 2018, you requested public information from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Currently, we are in the process of compiling the documents responsive to your request. Because your request is unclear or overbroad, please contact our office to provide a clarification or narrowing of your request based on the explanation below
We are unclear about your request for “ final disposition.” We can provide an Excel spreadsheet that includes the date received, the name of the requestor, the requestor’s organization, a description of the requested information, and the status (open or closed). Will this be suitable?
You may send your clarification by mail, fax, or e-mail. Additionally, you may deliver your clarification in person to our office.
Public Information Coordinator
Texas Education Agency
1701 North Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701-1494
FAX: (512) 463-9838 | Email: PIR@tea.texas.gov<mailto:PIR@tea.texas.gov>
Per Section 552.222 of The Government Code, a PIR is considered withdrawn and closed by operation of law if a written response to the request for clarification or additional information is not received within 61 days.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me at (512) 463-3464 or by email at PIR@tea.texas.gov<mailto:PIR@tea.texas.gov>.
Sincerely,
Dana Colbert
Public Information Coordinator
Enclosure: Original Request
-
Texas Public Information Act Request: FOIA Log
From: Carolyn Komatsoulis
Dear Dana,
That information is suitable.
Thanks,
Carolyn
From: Texas Education Agency
Public Information Request
Release of Information Delayed
August 16, 2018
Carolyn Komatsoulis
Muckrock News
DEPT MR 58867
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
TEA PIR #34502
Dear Carolyn Komatsoulis:
On August 1, 2018, you requested public information from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Currently, we are in the process of compiling the documents responsive to your request.
TEA anticipates that the information will be released to you on or before: September 7, 2018. The information will be provided at no charge.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me at (512) 463-3464 or by email at PIR@tea.texas.gov<mailto:PIR@tea.texas.gov>.
Sincerely,
Dana Colbert
Public Information Coordinator
Enclosure: Original Request
-
Texas Public Information Act Request: FOIA Log
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Texas Public Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 1, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Texas Education Agency
Public Information Request
Release Documents at No Charge
September 7, 2018
Carolyn Komatsoulis
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 58867
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
TEA PIR #34502
Dear Carolyn Komatsoulis:
On August 1, 2018, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) received your request for public information. To the extent it exists, the requested information is provided to you with this letter and includes a copy of the original request.
The responsive data was redacted in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act. Redactions performed for this request are marked with brackets and the applicable section of Texas Government Code 552 or the open records ruling number (e.g., [REDACTED - 552.XXX]).
1. Pursuant to Texas Government Code §552.137, e-mails of members of the public are confidential and have been removed from the responsive records. See also ORD No. 684.
1. The information you requested contains student-level information which have been redacted per FERPA.
Pursuant to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. Section 1232g, TEA is required to withhold from public disclosure personally identifiable non-directory information in education records. Additionally, in Open Records Decision No. 634 (1995), the Texas Attorney General authorizes TEA to withhold any information requested under the Public Information Act that TEA determines is confidential under FERPA without the necessity of seeking a determination from the Attorney General under Section §552.301 of the Government Code.
1. Texas Government Code - Section 552.147. Exception: Social Security Number Of Living Person
(a) The social security number of a living person is excepted from the requirements of Section 552.021.
(b) A governmental body may redact the social security number of a living person from any information the governmental body discloses under Section 552.021 without the necessity of requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 397, § 1, eff. June 17, 2005; Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 937, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.
1. Pursuant to OR2016-04398, TEA has withheld dates of birth of members of the public. We have redacted this information from the responsive documents. A copy of this previous determination is attached for your reference.
1. The data also contains redactions that were created at the time of entry into the tracking system/request log. In that case, the redactions are considered part of the original, since this is a request for the log/listing. Such redactions/abbreviations are indicated by brackets and the word "redacted" or "see ECM, " or a symbol, such as # or *.
1. Pursuant to OR2017-05066, TEA has withheld information revealing educator test results. We have redacted this information from the responsive documents. A copy of this previous determination is attached for your reference.
1. ORD 136
The information you requested contains a credit card, debit card, charge card, or access device number that is collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body. This information is confidential under section 552.136 of the Texas Government Code. Our office is prohibited by law from releasing this information to you, and therefore we have removed this information from the enclosed information we are providing to you.
Normally, we must request a ruling from the Texas Attorney General before we can withhold any of the information you requested. However, section 552.136 allows us to withhold this specific information without requesting a ruling from the attorney general.
You have the right to appeal our decision to withhold this information from you. Instructions for appeal are at the end of this letter. If you do not want to appeal, you do not need to do anything else. Please note that we are only withholding the specific categories of information that are confidential under section 552.136. We will process the rest of your request for information in accordance with the terms of the Public Information Act.
How to appeal the withholding of information under Gov't Code section 552.136
Refer to https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/open/ord_form136.doc<https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/open/ord_form136.doc>
If you wish to appeal the withholding of information discussed above, you must send the following to the attorney general:
1) a signed, written statement indicating your wish to appeal the withholding of information;
2) the name of the governmental body that withheld information from you;
3) the date you made your original request for information; and
4) a copy of your original request for information, or if you are unable to provide a copy, a description of your original request for information.
You may also submit written comments stating why you think the information should be released to you, but you are not required to do so.
Send your appeal by mail to the attorney general at:
Open Records Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, Texas 78711-2548
Within forty-five business days after receiving all of the above-listed items necessary to file your appeal, the attorney general will issue a written ruling on the matter. You will receive a copy of this ruling in the mail.
Additionally, there are no charges for fulfilling this request and PIR # 34502 is considered closed.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me at (512) 463-3464 or by email at PIR@tea.texas.gov.
Sincerely,
Dana Colbert
Public Information Coordinator
Enclosures:
Original Request
TEA Responsive Documents
OR2016-04398 (included for reference)
OR2017-05066 (included for reference)
Files
pages