Baggett, Sean v. Hingham, Town of - Public Schools (SPR 20260615)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records February 24, 2026 SPR26/0615 Sarah C. Spatafore, Esq. Hingham Public Schools 220 Central Street Hingham, MA 02043 Dear Attorney Spatafore: On February 24, 2026, this office received your petition on behalf of Hingham Public Schools (School) seeking an extension of time to produce records. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c); G. L. c. 66, § 10(d)(iv); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.06(4). As required by law, I understand that the School furnished a copy of this petition to the requestor, Sean Baggett. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c); G. L. c. 66, § 10(d)(iv)(2). On December 1, 2025, for the period of “July 1, 2022 to the present,” Mr. Baggett requested: [1] Emails and Electronic Communications Please produce all emails, text messages, internal chat messages (Teams, Google Chat, or similar platforms), electronic messages, and any associated attachments or metadata that contain any of the following [ten] identifiers… [2] Internal Documents and Notes Please produce all internal memoranda, notes, meeting minutes, agendas, summaries, draft or final documents, calendar entries, or internal communications referencing [an identified individual] (or any identified listed above), or referencing or relating to MCAD Case No. 22NEM00334. [3] Complaints or Investigation Involving [an identified individual] Please provide any records of internal complaints, grievances, reports, employee concerns, or investigations that mention or involve [an identified individual] while employed by Hingham Public Schools. Prior Appeal This request was the subject of a prior appeal. See SPR26/0213 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (February 4, 2026). In my February 4th determination, I ordered 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

Sarah C. Spatafore, Esq. SPR26/0615 Page 2 February 24, 2026 School to clarify how the redactions to the responsive records fall under the attorney-client privilege and how responsive records can be withheld under Exemption (c) of the Public Records Law. Subsequently, the School petitioned this office on February 21, 2026, seeking an extension of time. Petition for an Extension of Time Under the Public Records Law, upon a showing of good cause, the Supervisor of Records (Supervisor) may grant a single extension to an agency not to exceed 20 business days and a single extension to a municipality not to exceed 30 business days. In determining whether there has been a showing of good cause, the Supervisor shall consider, but shall not be limited to considering: (i) the need to search for, collect, segregate or examine records; (ii) the scope of redaction required to prevent unlawful disclosure; (iii) the capacity or the normal business hours of operation of the agency or municipality to produce the request without the extension; (iv) efforts undertaken by the agency or municipality in fulfilling the current request and previous requests; (v) whether the request, either individually or as part of a series of requests from the same requestor, is frivolous or intended to harass or intimidate the agency or municipality; and (vi) the public interest served by expeditious disclosure. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c). If the Supervisor determines that the request is part of a series of contemporaneous requests that are frivolous or designed to intimidate or harass, and the requests are not intended for the broad dissemination of information to the public about actual or alleged government activity, the Supervisor may grant a longer extension or relieve the agency or municipality of its obligation to provide copies of the records sought. Id. The filing of a petition does not affect the requirement that a Records Access Officer (RAO) shall provide an initial response to a requestor within ten business days after receipt of a request for public records. 950 C.M.R. 32.06(4)(b). Current Petition In its petition, the School requests an extension until February 27, 2026 and provides the following information in support of its request: I represent the Hingham Public Schools and am assisting them with their response. Due to the school vacation, I am out of town until February 26. May I have a brief extension to February 27 to provide a substantive response on behalf of the district?

Sarah C. Spatafore, Esq. SPR26/0615 Page 3 February 24, 2026 Conclusion The School submitted its petition on February 21, 2026, more than ten business days after the receipt of the February 4th determination of the Supervisor of Records. In light of the fact that the School has not demonstrated that it submitted a timely petition, an extension of time cannot be granted. 950 C.M.R. 32.06(4)(d). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Sean Baggett