James Vaznis v. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (SPR 20233035)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records January 2, 2024 SPR23/3034; SPR23/3035 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 James Vaznis, of the Boston Globe, appealing the nonresponse of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) to two requests for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). ). In two (2) separate requests dated November 9, 2023, Mr. Vaznis requested the following records: SPR23/3034 [A] copy of the Boston Public School’s corrective action plan that was developed in response to the Tiered Focused Monitoring Report (July 17, 2023) ... [and] copies of any updates BPS has provided to DESE on brining [sic] its programs into compliance with state and federal laws as well as any response from DESE to these updates and the corrective action plan. SPR23/3035 [C]opies of all communications since January 1, 2022, between DESE and USDOJ regarding BPS’s non-compliance with state and federal laws in its delivery of EL programs. Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Mr. Vaznis petitioned this office and these appeals, SPR23/3034 and SPR23/3035, were opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of these appeals, it remains unclear whether the Department has provided a response. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Vaznis with a response to his requests, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the 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 SPR23/3034 SPR23/3035 Page 2 January 2, 2024 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 the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Vaznis 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: James Vaznis