Hello raymondangel05--
I have a lot of experience with the Freedom of Information Act, have
carefully researched your questions, and have your answers.
I will break out each of your questions and address them individually for you.
"Can you fill me in a bit more what rights this affords me."
To help you better understand your rights under the Freedom of
Information Act, I first conducted a Google search for the following
terms: freedom of information act
You may view the results of my search online. The link is
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=freedom+of+information+act
You may view the entire FOIA online. The link is
http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/foia_updates/Vol_XVII_4/page2.htm
I also located a summation of the FOIA that you may review. The link
is http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nsa/foia/aboutfoia-summary.html
"Also I would like to know what it can do for me in the sense of
requesting e-mails from a school corporation. I understand that I
might have the right to request e-mails sent on the schools systems.
If this is the case how can I obtain e-mails and what forms will it
require me to fill out."
You used the term "school corporation." I trust you mean a public
"school district." Information from any private company or "school
corporation" is not a matter of public record under the FOIA.
However, some information from school districts are matters of public
record. My experience has been that the information that is commonly
included in such public record is anything that has been published in
a school directory or book, any money issues including salaries, and
some faculty and employee records, depending on whether they're
currently employed and whether there's a current investigation. Record
of students or anything relating to students is not a matter of public
record, as students are minors and are protected.
You ask specifically about E-Mails sent on the school computer system.
If the E-Mails were sent from an official school district account,
were not regarding any student(s) or faculty, and were not a matter of
a current official investigation, they would likely ultimately be
proven to be "public record." If they don't meet all these qualifiers,
chances are the E-Mails will be protected under the FOIA.
To obtain items that are matters of public record, you should first
simply call the school district offices and ask for them. They may
just give them to you. If they won't, they may have specific forms
you'll need to fill out. If they don't, but they ask you to make an
FOIA request, you may use the sample letter at
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nsa/foia/howtofoia.html
"Do I need to request messages related to only a certain topic? Or
will I be able to use a blanket term and get electronic messages on
several topics?"
When I make FOIA requests, I make them as broad as possible. All they
can do is say "no." If they do deny your requests, you may then wish
to narrow the requests you're seeking.
"I reside in the state of Indiana and attend a public high school as a
junior. I realize that the FOIA applies only to Federal documents but
what about state documents? What can I get in Indiana that is
similar?"
Indiana has what is called a "Sunshine Law." This is similar to the
FOIA Laws. I've worked with the Indiana Sunshine Law in the past and
have been unable to find the law online. But the laws of what's
publicly available and what's not in schools is all discussed in your
previous questions.
I hope this helps. If you have further questions or need any
clarification, please don't hesitate to click on the "clarify" button.
Thanks,
darrel-ga |
