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Freedom of Information (FOIL) Requests

The New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) allows members of the public to access certain records of governmental agencies. FOIL provides a process for the review and copying of an agency’s records. 

For access to Whitesboro Central School District records under the NYS Freedom of Information Law, please contact the District’s Record Access Officer by mail or e-mail.

Mail:

Christopher O’Neil
Director of Pupil Personnel Services
Whitesboro High School
6000 State Route 291
Marcy, NY 13403

Email:

Christopher O’Neil
coneil@wboro.org

Please include the words “FOIL Request” in the subject of the email.

Requests should state that information is being sought under the Freedom of Information Law and provide a brief description of the public records requested. Please be as specific as possible (e.g. relevant dates, names, descriptions, etc.).

The District’s Records Access Officer will acknowledge receipt of any FOIL requests within five business days. The nature of the request will determine how quickly the information can be provided. To appeal a denial of access to records, contact Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Bellair by email at bbellair@wboro.org.

The fee associated with any FOIL request is 25 cents per copied page. Electronic transfers of information are not subject to this fee, but are not always available depending on the request.

There are limitations to FOIL requests:

  • The District is not required to create a new record or report or gather new information for a FOIL request.
  • Private, personnel information and school records are not "FOILable"
  • FOILs are meant to provide public information when requested.

For more information regarding Whitesboro Central School District records requests, contact the Record Access Officer at 315-266-3240.

For more information about the Freedom of Information Law, visit the New York State Department of State website.

FOIL Subject Matter List

This subject matter list provides a reference of subjects or file categories under which records are
maintained by the Whitesboro Central School District. This list is not a compilation of every record
used by the District to conduct daily business functions.

Not all records listed here are publicly available under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).
Under FOIL, certain records are exempt from disclosure. For example, the District may deny access
to certain records if such disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or
if the records are rendered confidential by federal or state law.

Pursuant to New York Public Officers Law § 87(3)(c), the Whitesboro Central School District is
required to maintain and post on its website a reasonably detailed current list by subject matter of all
records in its possession. For purposes of meeting this mandate, the District has the following
records in its possession:
Applicable school district records as described in the LGS-1 Retention Schedule published by the
New York State Archives governing retention and disposition of records:
http://www.archives.nysed.gov/records/local-government-record-schedule/lgs-1-title-page.
Please note that the LGS-1 schedule replaced the ED-1 Retention Schedule which previously
governed retention and disposition of school district records.

These records include but are not limited to:

  • Administrative files, plans, and reports
  • Audit Reports
  • Board minutes and agendas
  • Board policies and administrative regulations
  • Contracts and agreements
  • Election and voting records
  • Equipment and Supply inventories
  • Financial records
    • Budgets
    • Accounts Payable
    • Accounts Receivable
    • Bonds
    • Financial Statements
  • Grant programs
  • Insurance policies and records
  • Oaths of office
  • Purchasing and procurement
  • School safety plans and records
  • Student records, including academic records, attendance records, health records, special education records, disciplinary records
  • Taxation/tax levy
     

Accountability

  • Accountability Plans
  • Accountability Plan Progress Reports
  • Enrollment and Retention Targets Information
  • School Visit Reports
     

Human Resource Records

  • Attendance records, time sheets, leave records
  • Benefits and Health Insurance Administration
  • Civil Service Lists, Canvass Letters, Responses, Resumes
  • Equal employment opportunity records
  • Evaluations and performance reviews/appraisals
  • Investigative records and disciplinary proceedings
  • Labor Relations records, including grievance and arbitration records
  • Payroll Processing and related forms
  • Personnel files
  • Training
  • Union contracts
  • Workers’ Compensation files
  • Workforce information
     

Information Technology

  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Usage/access records
  • Security records
  • Support records
  • Website
     

Miscellaneous

  • Building Admittance and Visitor Logs
  • Code Compliance records
  • Commencement records
  • Facilities planning, building, and construction
  • FOIL requests and appeals
  • Incident/Accident and internal investigation records
  • Inspection and permits
  • Legal matters and appeals
  • Maintenance/repair records
  • Program files
  • Publications
  • Press releases
  • School transportation
  • SEQRA