Public Records Requests

Public Record Requests (PRR)

What is LCSD's policy regarding requesting and receiving public records?

(excerpted from LCSD policy manual)

Any individual who wants to obtain or inspect a copy of a public record may request to have the record duplicated on paper, on the same medium on which the record is kept or on any other medium that the Superintendent/designee determines reasonable.
If the request is ambiguous or overly broad, the District informs the requester of the manner in which records are maintained and accessed in the ordinary course of business and allows the requester to revise the request.
All records responsive to the request are made available in a reasonable period of time.
The District makes the requester aware of any information that is exempt from disclosure requirements by notifying the requester of any redacted information or by making redactions in a plainly visible manner. If a public records request is denied, the District provides an explanation with legal authority for the denial of the request. This explanation is provided in writing if the request is made in writing or if the Superintendent/designee determines written explanation is necessary. A fee may be charged for copies and/or delivery.
The District may require the fee charged for copies and/or delivery be paid in advance.

How to request public records from the Lorain City School District

Public record requests can be submitted via the [email protected] email address.
Record requests can also be made in person at the Lorain Schools Administration Center, 2601 Pole Avenue or via fax at 440-282-7251.

Public Records Request Responses Archive

In order to increase efficiency and demonstrate transparency the district has included an archive of recent public records requests responses.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PRRR ARCHIVE FOLDER

What is a public record?

According to the Ohio Public Records Act, a “record” is any item that;

Contains information stored on a fixed medium (such as paper, computer, file, etc.);
Is created, received or sent under the jurisdiction of a public office;
and Documents the organization, functions, policies, decision, procedures, operations or other activities of the office.

In order for an item to be a public record, it must be “kept” by the public office (LCS). That does not mean that the item must be “required” to be maintained by the public office before it will be deemed a public record. Rather, the item must simply be the type of item typically and actually retained by the office in the ordinary course of its business in order to carry out its duties and functions. If not, then the item is not “kept” and the public office does not have an obligation to provide access to the item. It the item does not exist, the public office will not have the obligation to provide access to that item or create the item to respond to a request.