Mary Kate McGowan v. Westford, City of - Public Schools (SPR 20230973)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records May 22, 2023 SPR23/0973 Christopher Chew, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools Westford Public Schools 23 Depot Street Westford, MA 01886 Dear Dr. Chew: I have received the petition of Mary Kate McGowan appealing the nonresponse of the Westford Public Schools (School) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On March 9, 2023, Ms. McGowan requested the School’s policies and procedures for special education. Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Ms. McGowan petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/0973, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the School has provided a response. Accordingly, the School is ordered to provide Ms. McGowan with a response to her request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten (10) business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. McGowan may appeal the substantive nature of the School’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.09(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Mary Kate McGowan 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