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Access to Public Information (FOIA)
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What is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request?
A FOIA request is a written request to inspect and copy the public records of the Brandywine School District. The public records of the District include any written or recorded information that is owned, made, used, retained, received, produced, composed, drafted, or otherwise compiled or collected by the District relating to the operations and purpose of the District. Public records do not include information that are protected by law from public access such as personnel and student records.See The Delaware Freedom of Information Act, 29 Del. C. Chapter 100 and Board of Education Policy 2.7 .
What information must my FOIA request include?
Your request should be as specific as possible in describing the record(s) or information you seek to enable the District to locate the records. After receiving your request, the FOIA Coordinator may contact you to provide additional information to assist in locating the record that you seek to inspect. If those records are actually in the possession or control of another public body, the FOIA Coordinator will forward your request to that public body and notify you that your request has been forwarded.
What happens when I submit my FOIA request?
Within 15 business days of receiving your request, the District will notify you that it has received your request and inform you as to whether (1) the records are available for you to inspect and copy; (2) all or some of the records you seek are not the public Records of the District; or (3) the District needs more time in locating the records that you seek. If the records are available, you will be asked to schedule an appointment to review the information at the District's Administrative Offices between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Please allow time in the afternoon to inspect the record, since you will be asked to leave the Administrative Office at 4:00 PM. The District processes all requests in a "date received" order.
Please note that FOIA does not require the District to create records, or prepare summaries or compilations of records in response to a FOIA request. In some circumstances voluminous records may be responsive to the FOIA request. Requests to create a record, or prepare summaries or compilations of records are addressed under Board Policy 02.10.
Is there a cost associated with a FOIA request?Sections 6 and 7 of the District’s FOIA Policy sets forth both the copying and administrative fees associated with the fulfillment of a FOIA request. Under the Policy, the first twenty standard sized pages are provided free of charge to the requestor. After that, copies are $0.10 per printed page ($0.20 for two sided pages) Please refer to the District’s full FOIA Policy for other charges.
How do I submit a FOIA request?Freedom of Information Act Online Request Form - This is an online form that will automatically be emailed to the FOIA Coordinator.
Freedom of Information Act Request Form - FOR PRINT AND MAIL ONLY. You will need to mail or fax this form to the FOIA Coordinator.
Mail to:
Brandywine School District Administrative Office
1311 Brandywine Blvd.
Wilmington, DE 19809
Fax to:
Attn: Tia Harris
FOIA Coordinator
302-765-1995
1. Double-click the attachment.
2. Acrobat will prompt you to select a response file.
All requests will be submitted to and processed by the District’s FOIA Coordinator—Tia Harris. You may submit FOIA requests by following one of these three steps:
1. Complete and submit the FOIA Request Form to the FOIA Coordinator.
2. Print, complete and submit the FOIA Request Form to the FOIA Coordinator by hand deliver, email, regular mail or fax.
3. Create a written request and submit it to the FOIA Coordinator by hand deliver, email, regular mail or fax.
If you choose not to use either of the forms provided on this site, be sure that your written request includes your contact information, and identifies the specific records you wish to inspect as completely as possible.
Hand-deliver or mail requests to the FOIA Coordinator at:
Brandywine School District Administrative Office
1311 Brandywine Boulevard
Wilmington, DE 19809
E-mail requests to the FOIA Coordinator at:
tia.harris@bsd.k12.de.usFax requests to the FOIA Coordinator at:
FOIA Coordinator
Fax: 302-765-1995
The FOIA Coordinator can be contacted at 302-793-5002.