Open Records Requests and Open Meetings
OPEN RECORDS OFFICER
The Glynn County Schools, Legal Compliance Department is designated by the Superintendent to handle all Open Records requests and for purposes of Open Records Requests, the Director of Legal Compliance has been designated as the Open Records Officer. Due to the legal time constraints involved in Open Records Law, all such requests shall be immediately forwarded to Open Records Officer, 5505 Altama Ave., Brunswick, GA 31525.
When a staff member receives an Open Records Request it should be immediately emailed to the Open Records Officer or faxed to their attention at (912) 262-3435. Requests must be responded to within three business days of receipt, so time is essential to legally comply.
Process
In cases where a member of the public has a right to inspect, have access to extracts, or ask for copies from public records or documents, such person shall have the right of access to the records only while in the presence and under the control of the custodian of such records. All examination of records and documents shall be done under the supervision of the custodian of the records, who shall have the right to enforce reasonable rules governing the work.
The work shall be done in the location specified by the custodian. Charges for making photographs or reproductions of the records or documents will be calculated at $.25 per copy and a per hour charge for the employee supervising the review of records. In addition, a reasonable charge may be collected for search, retrieval, and other direct administrative costs for complying with a request and provided to the requestor prior to the start of said work, along with an estimated timeframe for the completion of the work. The hourly charge shall not exceed the salary of the lowest paid full-time employee who, in the discretion of the custodian of the records, has the necessary skill and training to perform the request. There shall be no charge for the first quarter hour.
Staff Information
In order to protect confidentiality rights of all employees, no record or document shall be released with information which would not be construed to be an open record pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-18-70. Certain personal information shall not be disclosed unless otherwise excepted by law or written consent of the subject employee, including the following: home mailing and email address, home telephone number, social security number, insurance information, medical information, mother’s birth name, day and month of birth, credit card or debit card numbers, bank account or driver’s license information, financial data or information, confidential job performance evaluations and reference checks of employees. When responding to request for information, the above items shall be redacted from the materials provided if possible.
Student Information
Ga. Code § 50-18-72(a)(37) specifically excludes from public disclosure those records that would not be subject to disclosure, or the disclosure of which would jeopardize the receipt of federal funds, under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) prohibits a school district from releasing personal information collected from students for the purpose of marketing unless the district has directly notified parents of students with an opportunity for their child to opt out. Glynn County Schools has not provided parents with this notice and chooses not to do so.
GEORGIA OPEN RECORDS ACT
Records of the Glynn County Schools are subject to the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq. Please direct open records requests to the Open Records Officer or via email at [email protected].
Open Records Officer
Paul S. McKenzie
Glynn County Schools Open Records Officer
Glynn County Schools
5505 Altama Ave.
Brunswick, GA 31520
Please use the following form below when submitting an Open Records Request to the Glynn County Schools.
OPEN MEETINGS
The Open Meetings Act provides that an agency may not hold a meeting covered under the Act without having provided due notice of the time and place of the meeting, a preliminary agenda of the meeting and the publication of summary and final minutes of the meeting afterwards. Proper notice includes the posting of a written notice at the regular place of meeting at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting and notice to the local legal organ in which sheriff's sales are published and other media who have requested such notices. The Act does not require that actual legal advertisements be taken out in a newspaper nor does it provide for an opportunity for a person to speak during a meeting, although both of these items reflect a better practice in assuring public involvement in their government operations.