Ebony Morrison v. Boston, City of - Public Schools (SPR 20212917)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records November 18, 2021 SPR21/2917 Shawn A. Williams, Esq. Director of Public Records Record Access Officer City of Boston One City Hall Square Boston, MA 02201 Dear Attorney Williams: I have received the petition of Ebony Morrison appealing the response of the City of Boston (City) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On June 23, 2021, Ms. Morrison requested the following records: 1) The full curriculum for the Boston Public School course or educational program known as the Ethnic Studies Course. 2) A copy of all materials related to the Ethnic Studies Course that are distributed to or provided to students of the Boston Public Schools … 3) A copy of all materials used to train or prepare teachers to implement or teach the Ethnic Studies Course … 4) A list, or extract of existing data that lists, the names of Boston Public Schools at which the Ethnic Studies Course was taught during the 2020-2021 City year. The City responded on August 27, 2021. Unsatisfied with the City’s response, Ms. Morrison petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR21/2917, was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division staff attorney and a City representative, it is my understanding the City intends on providing a subsequent response to Ms. Morrison. Accordingly, the City is ordered to provide Ms. Morrison with a response to the request in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Access Regulations within 10 business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Morrison may appeal the substantive nature of the City's response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). 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

Shawn A. Williams, Esq. SPR21/2917 Page 2 November 18, 2021 Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Ebony Morrison