Zachary Spilman v. Dover-Sherborn Regional School District (SPR 20170477)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor ofR ecords April 7, 2017 SPRl 7/477 William H. McAlduff, Jr. Interim Superintendent Dover-Sherborn Regional School District 157 Farm Street Dover, MA 02030 Dear Mr. McAlduff: I have received the petition of Zachary Spilman appealing the Dover-Sherborn Regional School District's (School) response to his request for public records. G. L. c. 66 § IOA; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, he requested copies of the minutes and other documents concerning executive session meetings held by the School. The School is withholding all records pursuant to the Open Meeting Law. In a petition dated April 6, 2017, Mr. Spilman submitted an Open Meeting Law complaint to the Office of the Attorney General's (AGO) Division of Open Government (Division) and a Public Records Law appeal to this office one day later (April 7., 2017). Mr. Spilman objects to the School's response. An interpretation of the Open Meeting Law falls within the authority of the AGO and not this office. See G. L. c. 30A, § 23. Therefore, I find it is necessary to first obtain an opinion from the Division as to whether the School is properly claiming any portion of the Open Meeting Law to withhold portions of the responsive records. I will consider this appeal closed pending the AGO's review. If appropriate, I will opine on this matter upon completion of the AGO's review. Sincerely, ~«./°'-· ~ t i Q Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Zachary Spilman One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us