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February 11, 2004
Ms. Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Chief Executive Officer
Cleveland Municipal School District
1380 East 6th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
SENT VIA U.S. MAIL & VIA FAX
Dear Madam:
It has come to our attention that you, and/ or the School Board have
initiated a relatively new practice of utilizing “working groups” to
“deal with important issues,” coming before the School Board, which
raises some concerns about your adherence to the Ohio Sunshine Laws.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, we are hereby requesting
any and all of the following public records in the possession of the
Cleveland Municipal School District Administration (including
electronically stored information, if applicable):
1. Records identifying the members and the specific purposes of “working
groups” appointed by you or the School Board or its Chair, during the
twelve-month period preceding this letter.
2. Records specifically granting you or your Administration, the
authority to create any such working groups, or to appoint people to
them.
3. Records identifying School Board members, and non-School Board
persons apponted to working groups created by the School Administration,
or its CEO, Barbara Byrd-Bennett during the twelve-month period
preceding this letter.
4. Records of such working groups meetings, including agendas, minutes,
reports and recommendations made by such working groups.
5. Public notices of the dates, times, and places of meetings of such
working groups.
We look forward to receiving copies of these documents via U.S. Mail and
we understand that we are responsible for the copying and mailing costs.
If there are any questions pertaining to this request, please contact
the undersigned at the number listed below.
Very truly yours,
Michael T. Honohan
Volunteer Attorney, ACLU of Ohio
cc: Christine Link, Executive Director, ACLU of Ohio
February 11, 2004
Margaret Hopkins, Board Chair
Cleveland Municipal School District
1380 East 6th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
SENT VIA U.S. MAIL & VIA FAX
Dear Madam:
It has come to our attention that the School Board has initiated a new
practice of utilizing “working groups” to “deal with important issues,”
which raises some concerns about the School Board’s adherence to the
Ohio Sunshine Laws. (See Ms. Hopkins’ letter to ACE President Tim
Walters, dated October 16, 2003).
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, we are hereby requesting
any and all of the following public records in the possession of the
School Board, (including electronically stored information, if
applicable):
1. Records identifying the members and the specific purposes of existing
Standing Committees of the School Board.
2. Records identifying the members and the specific purposes assigned to
ad hoc Committees of the School Board, which have functioned during the
preceding twelve-month period.
3. Records identifying the members and the specific purposes of “working
groups” appointed by the School Board or its Chair, during the
twelve-month period preceding this letter.
4. School Board minutes, resolutions and other documents which
specifically grant Barbara Byrd-Bennett the authority to create any such
working groups, or to appoint people to them.
5. Records identifying School Board members, and non-School Board
persons apponted to working groups created by the School Administration,
or its CEO, Barbara Byrd-Bennett during the twelve-month period
preceding this letter.
6. Public notices of the dates, times, and places of meetings of such
working groups.
7. Records of such working groups meetings, including agendas, minutes,
reports and recommendations made by such working groups.
We look forward to receiving copies of these documents via U.S. Mail and
we understand that we are responsible for the copying and mailing costs.
If there are any
questions pertaining to this request, please contact the undersigned at
the number listed below.
Very truly yours,
Michael T. Honohan,
Volunteer Attorney
ACLU of Ohio
cc: Christine Link, Executive Director, ACLU of Ohio
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