John Hilliard v. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (SPR 20250543)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records March 10, 2025 SPR25/0543 Helene Bettencourt Associate Commissioner Commissioner’s Office Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway Everett, MA 02149 Dear Ms. Bettencourt: I have received the petition of John Hilliard, of the Boston Globe, appealing the response of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66 § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On January 29, 2025, Mr. Hilliard requested, “[m]emos, updates, slide decks, reports, or plans from 2024 or year-to-date 2025 related to the improvement plan for Boston Public Schools.” The Department provided a response on February 14, 2025. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Mr. Hilliard petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/0543, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Department provided a further response to Mr. Hilliard on March 5, 2025. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the Department’s February 14th response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Mr. Hilliard may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s March 5th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: John Hilliard 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