PUBLIC ACCESS TO RECORDS POLICY (FOIL REQUEST)

In the United States, the “basic right to know the process of government” was established through the “Freedom of Information Law” [Public Officers Law, Article 6, Section 84-90] also known as FOIL. This law allows the public to have access to records of government as pertains to decision-making as well as to review documents and statistics leading to determinations. (For more information about FOIL search “Public Officers Law, Article 6” or go to http://www.dos.ny.gov/coog/foil2.html. )

As public entities, all public schools are required to ensure compliance in accordance with the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) of the State of New York, although under FERPA, student records are NOT PUBLIC RECORDS.

In Sayville School District, the Board of Education policy about the administration and operation of the public schools is in accordance with the Freedom of  Information Act Law (FOIL), see link above.

To apply for access to public school records, as well as the Records Retention and Disposition Schedules, fill out the FOIL Application form available at this application link:   LINK TO FOIL APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC ACCESS

Residents may contact the Sayville School District Record Access Officer at 631 244-6530.

In its broad definition, “Records” refers to information existing in any physical form whatsoever that are kept, held, filed, produced or reproduced with or for an agency, i.e., governmental entity: Under FOIL, the requested information must be a pre-existing record, as public schools are not required nor obligated to “create” new documents for the record.

The following is a list of the kinds of public records which can be accessed through FOIL:

Statements

Examinations

Memoranda

Opinions

Folders

Files

Books

Manuals

Pamphlets

Form

Papers

Drawings

Maps

Letters

Microfilms

Computer tapes

Computer discs

Rules

Regulations

Codes

Designs