Open Records

How to make a request:

• Open records requests should be sent in writing via mail, email or fax to the Eanes ISD Open Records Department at OpenRecords@eanesisd.net
• Provide your full name and contact information
• Provide a detailed, precise description of the nature and scope of the information you are seeking
• Requests should be for documents or other information that is already in existence

Additional information regarding the Texas Public Information Act can be found on the website of the Texas Attorney General.

What to expect after making a request:

Once your request is received by Eanes ISD Open Records, you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your request. Your request will be assigned a TPIA (Texas Public Information Act) number. The Texas Public Information Act provides that a governmental body must “promptly” produce public information in response to your request. The amount of information you have requested is highly relevant to what makes for a reasonable response time under the Act.

Due to the volume of requests received, Eanes ISD’s Open Records department typically has a turnaround time of ten business days.

Important to note: In accordance with Texas law, ten business days are counted starting with the day the request is acknowledged. That first day is day zero. The next day is day one. Weekends or days the office is officially closed do not count as business days.

In the event the processing of your request will take longer than ten business days, Open Records will notify you of the projected time frame for completion.

Additional information regarding the Texas Public Information Act can be found on the website of the Texas Attorney General.

Cost of making a request:

The Texas Public Information Act allows a governmental body to recover certain costs relating to reproducing public information:

• Data lists to commercial companies or institutions are $9.00.
• Requests that result in more than fifty pages may be assessed charges for labor, overhead, and materials.
• If the estimated charges exceed $40.00, you will receive an itemized statement of estimated charges before any work is undertaken.

More information about charges for public information can be found in the Texas Attorney General’s Public Information Act Handbook.

Exceptions to your request:

If information you have requested may be confidential pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, Eanes ISD’s Open Records department must take one or more of the following actions:

• Seek an attorney general decision within ten business days of the receipt of your request stating the exceptions to disclosure that it believes are applicable and send you a copy of its letter to the attorney general requesting a decision within ten business days
• Send the attorney general its arguments for withholding the information you requested and copies of the information you have requested within fifteen business days of receiving your request. You are entitled to receive this notice; however, if the letter to the attorney general contains the substance of the information you requested, you may receive a redacted copy of the letter
• In accordance with Texas Attorney General Open Records Decision ORD-684, email addresses of members of the public will be redacted
• In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, personally identifiable information may be redacted
• In accordance with section 552.024 of the Texas Government Code, certain employee personal information may be confidential and will be redacted.  Our office is prohibited by law from releasing this personal information to you

The Attorney General must issue a decision no later than the 45^th working day from the day after the attorney general received the request for decision. The attorney general may require an additional 10 working day extension.

Additional information regarding the Texas Public Information Act can be found on the website of the Texas Attorney General.

Requests for student/family directory information:

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Eanes ISD Board Policy outlines the circumstances in which student/parent directory information may be released. Under this policy, directory information will only be released for District/School-related purposes and to military recruiters and institutions of higher education for secondary students.

The District has designated the following categories of information as directory information: student name, address, and telephone number. The District cannot release directory information except for these purposes.