James Racine v. Executive Office of Education (SPR 20251799)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records June 24, 2025 SPR25/1799 Abigail Fee, Esq. General Counsel Executive Office of Education One Ashburton Place, Room 1403 Boston, MA 02108 Dear Attorney Fee: I have received the petition of James Racine, of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, appealing the nonresponse of the Executive Office of Education (Office) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On June 4, 2025, Attorney Racine requested: [1] Final analyses, reports, memoranda, economic studies, fiscal projections, or comparative wage studies that document the basis, rationale, or methodology for the established wage parameters for higher education collective bargaining for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025, including how specific percentages (such as 3.5%, 2.25%, etc.) were determined[;] [2] Any data, reports, or information provided to the Executive Office for Administration and Finance or its Human Resources Division regarding higher education compensation, enrollment, or budget capacity for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025[;] [3] Any reports, studies, or analyses prepared by external consultants or contractors regarding higher education collective bargaining or compensation for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025[;] [4] Any memoranda, emails, letters, or other communications transmitting final wage parameters from the Executive Office of Education to the Board of Higher Education and/or the Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025[;] [5] Any communications between the Executive Office of Education and 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

Abigail Fee, Esq. SPR25/1799 Page 2 June 24, 2025 Executive Office for Administration and Finance (or its Human Resources Division) regarding the final wage parameters for higher education collective bargaining for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025. [6] Records reflecting the final approval of wage parameters for higher education institutions, including but not limited to signed authorizations, formal approvals, or official communications confirming the adoption of specific parameters. Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Attorney Racine petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/1799, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Office provided Attorney Racine with a response on June 24, 2025. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the Office’s lack of a written response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Attorney Racine may appeal the substantive nature of the Office’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: James Racine, Esq.