Stephen Voltz v. Beverly, City of - Public Schools (SPR 20251094)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records April 30, 2025 SPR25/1094 Erin Brown Executive Director of Operations Beverly Public Schools 70 Balch Street Beverly, MA 01915 Dear Ms. Brown: I have received the petition of Stephen Voltz appealing the response of the Beverly 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 9, 2024, Mr. Voltz requested “[a]ll records relating to communications, including but not limited to, emails, text messages, memoranda, letters, reports, and meeting notes between 1) any City of Beverly employee, official, or representative and 2) [an identified individual] and/or any reporter, editor or other person associated with The National Review[.]” Previous Petition This request was the subject of previous fee petition from the School. See SPR24/3341 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (December 17, 2024). In my December 17th determination, I found that to the extent the responsive records contain exempt information, the School could assess a fee for segregation and redaction. However, I found the School had not met its burden to assess fees in excess of $25.00 per hour. Additionally, I encouraged the parties to communicate to enable the School to provide records in an efficient and affordable manner. On December 20, 2024, the School sent a fee estimate for the request. On January 24, 2025, the School received Mr. Voltz’s fee payment in full. Mr. Voltz then sent a letter via certified mail to the School on April 15, 2025, inquiring about the status of his request. Subsequently, the School responded on April 19, 2025. Unsatisfied with the School’s response, Mr. Voltz petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/1094, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the School responded to Mr. Voltz’s request with a further response on April 28, 2025. Where this appeal was opened based on the School’s April 19th response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. If unresolved issues remain, Mr. 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

Erin Brown SPR25/1094 Page 2 April 30, 2025 Voltz may appeal the substantive nature of the School’s April 28th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Stephen Voltz