John Laliberte v. Brookline, Town of - Public Schools (SPR 20240699)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records March 20, 2024 SPR24/0699 Qianna Price Records Access Officer Brookline Public Schools 333 Washington Street Brookline, MA 02445 Dear Ms. Price: I have received the petition of John La Liberte, Esq., of the Pioneer Public Interest Law Center, appealing the response of the Brookline Public Schools (School) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On December 5, 2023, Attorney La Liberte requested: [a]ll communications, including electronic communications such as emails and/or text messages, from or to [identified individuals], members of the Brookline School Committee and the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) or any other Brookline officials or employees that include the words “campaign”, “ballot initiative”, “fine”, “May 2 ballot question” between and including the dates January 1, 2023 to the present. On February 6, 2024, Attorney La Liberte modified his request as follows: [a]ll communications, including electronic communications such as emails and/or text messages from or to ... [identified individuals] members of the Brookline School Committee, school principals and vice principals with regard to a ballot question on Brookline’s ballot on May 2, 2023 for the time period March 1, 2023 and November 30, 2023. Attorney La Liberte further explained that he seeks, “...nine emails and any complaints referred to in the attached letter dated November 28, 2023 from the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (the OCPF) ... as well as any communications to or from Brookline and OCPF related to OCPF’s investigation.” 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

Qianna Price SPR24/0699 Page 2 March 20, 2024 The School responded on December 6, 2023 and December 18, 2023. Unsatisfied with the School’s responses, Attorney La Liberte petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/0699, was opened as a result. Subsequent to the opening of this appeal, I learned that the School provided Attorney La Liberte with a response on March 19, 2024, which included responsive records. Accordingly, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Attorney La Liberte may appeal the substantive nature of the School’s March 19th response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: John La Liberte, Esq.