Dawn Byers v. Whitman Hanson Regional School District (SPR 20251666)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records June 24, 2025 SPR25/1666 George M. Ferro Assistant Superintendent of Schools Whitman Hanson Regional School District 610 Franklin Street Whitman, MA 02382 Dear Assistant Superintendent Ferro: I have received the petition of Dawn Byers appealing the response of the Whitman Hanson Regional School District (District) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On May 27, 2025, Ms. Byers sought the following: [1] Start date of rental contract with DRK Mobile Toilets [DRK] for monthly rental located at Channel Farm, 92 South Street[;] [2] End date of rental contract with DRK for monthly rental located at Channel Farm, 92 South Street[;] [3] Report from accounting system of the total paid to vendor, DRK, during rental period at 92 South Street[;] [4] Description of the District’s “Co-Op Program” provided at Channel Homestead and as billed on the attached invoice # DRK060924, dated 6/30/24[;] [5] Number of students, grades and dates this co-op program has been offered or is currently being offered. There is a porta-potty located in a gated farm area at Channel Homestead Farm in Hanson. Their website offers programs with a fee for tickets to enter their play / farm area. Two years ago this porta-potty rental was paid for by the farm owner and then the billing was switched over to [District] for payment. Can the Administration please provide an explanation as to why the District would absorb the monthly expense of a porta potty rental located at a private 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

Assistant Superintendent George M. Ferro SPR25/1666 Page 2 June 24, 2025 home/farm property? The District responded on May 28, 2025. Unsatisfied with the response, Ms. Byers petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/1666, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the District provided Ms. Byers with an additional response on June 11, 2025. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the District’s May 28, 2025 response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Ms. Byers may appeal the substantive nature of the District’s June 11th response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Dawn Byers