Open Commonwealth v. Division of Administrative Law Appeals (SPR 20221879)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records August 26, 2022 SPR22/1879 Edward McGrath, Esq. Chief Administrative Magistrate Division of Administrative Law Appeals 1 Congress Street, 11th Floor Boston, MA 02114 Dear Chief McGrath: I have received the petition of Commonwealth Transparency appealing the response of the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (Division) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On April 26, 2022, Commonwealth Transparency sought: Any and all raw data in any format, including but not limited to, databases, spreadsheets, recordings, electronic mail systems, and or written documents, which support, detail, or provide substantive data published in the attached “published documents” for the following specific information: a. All documents substantiating the number of hearing requests filed by parents. b. All documents substantiating the number of hearing requests filed by schools/districts. c. All entries/notices of appearance(s) filed by attorneys representing schools/districts. d. All entries/notices of appearance(s) filed by attorneys representing parents… f. All documents substantiating any party refuses mediation… j. All documents substantiating “parents fully prevailed” k. All documents substantiating “school districts fully prevailed” l. All documents substantiating “mixed relief was granted.” Previous appeals This request was the subject of previous appeals. See SPR22/1148 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (May 25, 2022); SPR22/1353 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (June 21, 2022); and SPR22/1593 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (July 21, 2022). In 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

Edward McGrath, Esq. SPR22/1879 Page 2 August 26, 2022 my July 21st determination, I directed the Division to provide additional information regarding its fee estimate. The Division provided a further response on August 4, 2022. Unsatisfied with the Division’s response, Commonwealth Transparency petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/1879, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Division responded to Commonwealth Transparency’s request with a further response sent on August 18, 2022. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the Division’s August 4, 2022 response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Commonwealth Transparency may appeal the substantive nature of the Office’s August 18th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Commonwealth Transparency