Naomi Martin v. Springfield, City of - Public Schools (SPR 20220677)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records March 31, 2022 SPR22/0677 Melinda Phelps, Esq. Legal Counsel Office of Legal Services Springfield Public Schools 1550 Main Street – 2nd Floor Springfield, MA 01103 Dear Attorney Phelps: I have received the petition of Naomi Martin, of the Boston Globe, appealing the response of the Springfield Public Schools (School) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On February 3, 2022, Ms. Martin requested: [1] [A]ny and all contracts or invoices with outside vendors or private parties for legal, investigative or human resources work from Jan. 1, 2007 through Jan. 30, 2022 pertaining to inquiries related to allegations of abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination or other misbehavior or misconduct by students, staff members, and/or coaches[.] [2] [A]ny and all related records to such services provided from Jan. 1, 2007 through Jan. 30, 2022. This includes, but is not limited to: [a] any prepared reports, investigations or reviews [b] any preparatory materials or files, including internal and external communications or electronic correspondence in the possession of the district, school board or school officials [c] service orders, memoranda of agreement/understanding, or other records related to retainment, cost, and scope of work. [d] any emails, statements, news releases, or other communications to families, educators, the media, or the public about the outside vendors’ work[.] After several correspondences between the School and Ms. Martin, the School provided a response on March 16, 2022. The School denied access to the responsive records pursuant to Exemption (c) of the Public Records Law and the attorney-client privilege. G. L. c. 4, § 7(26)(c). Unsatisfied with the School’s response, Ms. Martin petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/0677, was opened as a result. 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

Melinda Phelps, Esq. SPR22/0677 Page 2 March 31, 2022 It is my understanding that the School provided a supplemental response on March 29, 2022. Accordingly, I will consider this administrative appeal closed. Ms. Martin may appeal the substantive nature of the School’s March 29th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Naomi Martin