Marina Villeneuve v. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (SPR 20232525)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records November 2, 2023 SPR23/2524; SPR23/2525 Helene Bettencourt Associate Commissioner Commissioner’s Office Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street Malden, MA 02148 Dear Ms. Bettencourt: I have received the petitions of Marina Villeneuve, of Boston 25 News-WFXT, appealing the nonresponses of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) to requests for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). In separate requests dated September 13, 2023 and September 27, 2023, Ms. Villeneuve requested the following: SPR23/2524 …All records from 2000 to present of reports from administrators who have dismissed, declined to renew, or obtained the resignation of a licensed educator for sexual misconduct. Records of sanctions to administrator licenses for failure to provide requested documents or information to DESE in connection with investigations of educator misconduct allegations… SPR23/2525 Records from January 2000 to present of educator license revocations, suspensions, denials, limitations. Records should show the reasons why teacher licenses were revoked/suspended/denied/limited (including whether for sexual misconduct) … Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Ms. Villeneuve petitioned this office and these appeals, SPR23/2524 and SPR23/2525, were 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

Helene Bettencourt SPR23/2524; SPR23/2525 Page 2 November 2, 2023 Subsequently, I learned that the Department provided a response to Ms. Villeneuve on October 30, 2023. Where these appeals were opened as a result of the Department’s lack of a written response, I will now consider these administrative appeals closed. Ms. Villeneuve may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Marina Villeneuve