From:

To:
Subject:
Date:

Kroon, Brent R
Ferguson, Laurel L
RE: PTA parents group requests enrollment data and New Request
Monday, June 08, 2015 3:26:07 PM

Yes.
From: Ferguson, Laurel L
Sent: Monday, June 08, 2015 3:21 PM
To: Kroon, Brent R
Subject: RE: PTA parents group requests enrollment data and New Request

Hey Brent,
I can bring a flash drive down now are you available?
Thanks!!

Laurel Ferguson
Legal Assistant/Public Records Officer
Office of General Counsel
Seattle Public Schools
Tel: (206) 252-0117
llferguson@seattleschools.org
From: Kroon, Brent R
Sent: Monday, June 08, 2015 3:18 PM
To: Boy, Ronald D; Ferguson, Laurel L
Cc: Herndon, Flip; Freistadt, Jay O
Subject: RE: PTA parents group requests enrollment data and New Request

Thanks Ronald.
Yes, we understand about the PRA and its broad language. We have no problem releasing the documents, someone needs to come down here with a
flash drive.
My complaint is really more for the Superintendent and School Board who are going to hear a number of theories developed from an incomplete
understanding of the data people are looking at.
Thanks,
Brent
Brent Kroon
Interim Director, Enrollment Planning
Seattle Public Schools
(206) 252-0747

From: Boy, Ronald D

Sent: Monday, June 08, 2015 1:53 PM
To: Kroon, Brent R; Ferguson, Laurel L
Cc: Herndon, Flip
Subject: RE: PTA parents group requests enrollment data and New Request

Brent,
I understand your concerns. However, the PRA does not provide exceptions for reasons such as these. We need to receive the drive and the requested
spreadsheets, and they will be reviewed for any appropriate redactions before being released. Keep in mind that the PRA only requires an agency to
make records available, but that the agency has no duty to explain the meaning of public records (WAC 44-14-04004(2)).
Thank you,

Ronald D. Boy
Assistant General Counsel
Seattle Public Schools
John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence
2445 3rd Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98124
(206) 252-0114

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.

George Orwell

From: Kroon, Brent R

Sent: Friday, June 05, 2015 2:39 PM
To: Ferguson, Laurel L
Cc: Herndon, Flip; Boy, Ronald D
Subject: RE: PTA parents group requests enrollment data and New Request

Hi Laurel,
I understand your conclusion. I would like to discuss this with Flip when he returns on Monday, he is my direct supervisor, he has the final say. I realize
you are trying to follow the records act properly; however, this puts an incredible burden on our department, particularly in having to explain what
people are looking at in a way that will not be misinterpreted. Im not understating the impact of this when I say that this may require an additional staff
person, just to handle questions from the public who are trying to interpret the data and its context and applications. We went through this same
experience with growth boundaries and it had a huge negative impact on our ability to complete our actual work.
I strongly advise against the wholesale release of this information, we should get a more detailed request other than the whole drive.
We are not prepared to handle the amount of questions and criticism that will be directed our way unfairly from people who do not know what they are
looking at.
We will release this information when Flip OKs it.
-Brent
Brent Kroon
Interim Director, Enrollment Planning
Seattle Public Schools
(206) 252-0747

From: Ferguson, Laurel L

Sent: Friday, June 05, 2015 12:12 PM
To: Kroon, Brent R
Cc: Herndon, Flip; Boy, Ronald D
Subject: FW: PTA parents group requests enrollment data and New Request

Hi Brent,
Regarding items 3-5 below: I have spoken to Ronald Boy about this, and we feel these documents need to be released. The public records act does not
limit responsive records to final, published documents. The good news is, you do not have to regroup the data and/or remove any student identifying
information. This is part of the function of the public records office. You can just send the records as-is, and our office will take care of removing student
identifying information.

Please send the two excel spreadsheets (SchoolProjections_1516.xlsx and ClassroomRequirements for 2015-16attempt2.xlsx) when you get the
chance.

We will also need everything that was on the Z-drive as of June 1st (the date we received the request). Whats the best way to get this from you?
Should we bring down a thumb drive?
Finally, if the ExportforAnnette spreadsheet (attached) has been updated since early April, please send an updated copy. Again, there is no
need for you to review the sheet for privacy issues.

If you are unable to provide any of these records immediately, please let me know how long you will need so I can give Cecilia an accurate response date.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this.
Thanks for your help!

Laurel Ferguson
Legal Assistant/Public Records Officer
Office of General Counsel
Seattle Public Schools
Tel: (206) 252-0117
llferguson@seattleschools.org
From: Herndon, Flip
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2015 9:51 AM
To: Ferguson, Laurel L

Subject: FW: PTA parents group requests enrollment data and New Request

Laurel,
This is what I have from Brent. I have checked with John Cerqui about #4 and he is still looking at it.
-Flip
From: Kroon, Brent R
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2015 3:57 PM
To: Herndon, Flip
Subject: FW: PTA parents group requests enrollment data and New Request

See my comments
From: Walicki, Natasha N
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2015 3:37 PM
To: Kroon, Brent R
Cc: Herndon, Flip
Subject: FW: PTA parents group requests enrollment data and New Request

Hi Brent and Flip,

We received the following request and I was hoping you might be able to help! As a warning there are quite a few parts.
1. Cecilia has requested current and projected classrooms by school including special programs. We provided Cecilia with the 15-16 projections last
week via the html links you provided Laurel on 5/29/15. Is this information available in a spreadsheet at all? See below for specific request.
This (pdf) is the standard format in which we release the data to everyone. By doing excel would we be setting a precedent that anyone can
request anything in any format they like (what if we get a crazy request that takes a ton of time)?
2. She has requested projected enrollment by grade. Cecilia seems to think the data we provided is from 2/20/2015. Can you confirm when the
data you provided Laurel was last updated? See below for specific request.
That link is already available, I sent it to Laurel last Friday. The date of that file was May 29, 2015.

3. Cecilia has requested two excel spreadsheets (SchoolProjections_1516.xlsx and ClassroomRequirements for 2015-16attempt2.xlsx). Would you
be able to send these two to me?
These are working data files which contain student information at very low levels. Our general rule is that due to privacy we dont release data at
the level where students could be personally identified, either directly or indirectly. Weve been advised previously not to release data sets
which show student population less than 10 students in a group for privacy reasons.
If it is insisted we release this file, we would ask for time to regroup the data and remove any data which might identify students.

4. She also wants the contents of an entire drive (Z:\Groups\Enrollment\EP\Production\NextYear\Projections\School Level\2015-16). Do you
know how we can go about getting the contents of this? Laurel and I are at a bit of a loss here
Not advised to do this, again we run into privacy issues here. If there is another specific file she is looking, we can examine it this is an
extremely broad request.

5. Finally, Cecilia received the attached spreadsheet in a separate request. She is wondering if there is a newer, more updated spreadsheet. Can
you please let me know if a more recent one exists? The spreadsheet I have attached is from April 2015 at the latest.
We did generate this sheet for use by budget, again it is an internal working document not a published report. We did not release it the first
time, I am sure it came from budget. I dont recommend releasing it, however, we would need time to regenerate the sheet and check for
privacy issues.

We know this is very complicated. Please let me know if theres anything I can clarify! And please feel free to call to discuss if thats easier.
Thanks!
Natasha Walicki
Legal Assistant/Public Records Officer
Office of General Counsel
Seattle Public Schools
Tel: (206) 252-0122
nnwalicki@seattleschools.org

From: C McCormick [mailto:cpvmac@hotmail.com]

Sent: Monday, June 01, 2015 9:46 AM
To: Ferguson, Laurel L; Walicki, Natasha N
Subject: RE: PTA parents group requests enrollment data and New Request

Good morning Laurel,

Thanks for pointing out Natasha's email. I was running around Friday afternoon and missed it, only spotting yours.
Please inquire whether a version of this spreadsheet is available updated as of April 29, 2015 or more recent. Given that you and I would not
know this file existed but for its attachment to an email, I think you would be remiss if you did not verify that more information was not
withheld. This would hold true for all these items:
Current and projected classrooms by school including special programs (not provided in pdf or native format)
Projected enrollment by grade including special programs (2/20/15 data provided)
School budgets as presented in former Purple(?) Book with computation of FTE and PCP based on enrollment, AAFTE and WSS
(provide in native format)
Current 2015-16 WSS used to derive school budgets (not provided)
I see there exist other spreadsheets including:
SchoolProjections_1516.xlsx
ClassroomRequirements for 2015-16attempt2.xlsx
I hereby request the contents of this drive:
Z:\Groups\Enrollment\EP\Production\NextYear\Projections\School Level\2015-16
Please provide the files in their native format. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Cecilia
From: llferguson@seattleschools.org
To: cpvmac@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: PTA parents group requests enrollment data
Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2015 15:38:01 +0000
Hi Cecilia,

I hope you had a nice weekend and enjoyed the sunshine! I know we were communicating about several different requests last week, and to be honest
Im not entirely sure which request you are referring to in your email below. If you are referencing your OVA request, my understanding is that Natasha
provided the spreadsheet you requested on Friday (see attached). We are currently working with legal staff to review certain FERPA redactions under
this request as well, and should have information on that for you soon.

As you know, we are only required to provide documents in existence when we receive a request (WAC 44-14-04004(4)(a)). I am not sure if this
spreadsheet has been updated since your request, but you are welcome to send in a public records request for any versions that may have been updated
since your original request. Please let me know if I have misunderstood your email, or if you have any further questions.

Thanks!

Laurel Ferguson
Legal Assistant/Public Records Officer
Office of General Counsel
Seattle Public Schools
Tel: (206) 252-0117
llferguson@seattleschools.org

From: C McCormick [mailto:cpvmac@hotmail.com]

Sent: Friday, May 29, 2015 4:52 PM

To: Ferguson, Laurel L
Subject: FW: PTA parents group requests enrollment data

Laurel, thank you for the Word Docs. I do not consider my request complete until the attachment I referenced in my email to John below is
delivered, among other things. Given that the PRR was dated 4/29/15 I would also expect any updates to this spreadsheet. Please provide
early next week.

Thank you

Cecilia

From: cpvmac@hotmail.com
To: llferguson@seattleschools.org; nnwalicki@seattleschools.org
Subject: FW: PTA parents group requests enrollment data
Date: Fri, 29 May 2015 12:58:44 -0700
Hello Ladies,
Sending this as an FYI. It is my intent to require department heads to release public records as required. I appreciate your work and the role
you play in providing transparency. I understand that you work under the supervision of others who may not understand their obligations
under the law.
Respectfully and sincerely,
Cecilia

From: cpvmac@hotmail.com
To: jcerqui@seattleschools.org
CC: sharon.peaslee@seattleschools.org; sherry.carr@seattleschools.org; harium.martin-morris@seattleschools.org;
stephan.blanford@seattleschools.org; sue.peters@seattleschools.org; martha.mclaren@seattleschools.org; betty.patu@seattleschools.org;
llnyland@seattleschools.org
Subject: FW: PTA parents group requests enrollment data
Date: Fri, 29 May 2015 11:50:33 -0700
Dear Mr Cerqui
Please explain on what basis the District has withheld the Excel attachment on Pg 2 of this disclosure. The district's response took
seven weeks and appears complete with the exception of this .xls file. The record is not exempt from disclosure. The information in this
records is of interest to many members of the public. The fact this particular document's native file has been excluded or embargoed is
troubling. I would appreciate prompt provision of this file.

Thank you very much. Have a great weekend!

Cecilia McCormick
206-595-2366

From: cpvmac@hotmail.com
To: kcgotsch@seattleschools.org; llnyland@seattleschools.org
CC: brkroon@seattleschools.org; lhthorpe@seattleschools.org; llferguson@seattleschools.org; sue.peters@seattleschools.org;
legchair@scptsa.org; jacoe@seattleschools.org; nnwalicki@seattleschools.org; ltherndon@seattleschools.org
Subject: RE: PTA parents group requests enrollment data

Date: Wed, 27 May 2015 12:20:10 -0700

Dear Supt Nyland,
I have attached an email dated April 7, 2015 I obtained through a public disclosure request on a separate topic. As you can see
the enrollment information you kindly agreed to provide the SCPTSA on 4/23/15 is readily available in its native format. Oddly enough, the
public records request that produced this responsive document (regarding Old Van Asselt) did not include the .xls file, but rather a pdf
version.
The District's handling of these public records requests appear to not be in accord with the Public Records Act, at least in spirit, in the
following ways:
1. Selective release of some documents in native formats and others not;
2. Delay in providing readily accessible data or information (close to 8 weeks).

I would appreciate it if you would inquire into the delay in providing this information to the District's "parent partners." In the past and on a
personal level, I can say my experience with Legal has been a pleasant one and I greatly value the work of your PROs. The enrollment and
budget departments have seemed to be the bottleneck here.

Respectfully,

Cecilia McCormick
206-595-2366

From: cpvmac@hotmail.com
To: legchair@scptsa.org; kcgotsch@seattleschools.org; jacoe@seattleschools.org
CC: brkroon@seattleschools.org; lhthorpe@seattleschools.org; llnyland@seattleschools.org; llferguson@seattleschools.org
Subject: RE: PTA parents group requests enrollment data
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2015 15:26:25 -0700
Thanks Eden.

I'm appreciative that the Public Records Officer has begun working on this request today, more than one week after our meeting with the
Superintendent. It is my hope that the data will be provided as soon as possible, given this late notice.

The request is not complex in the least. I am interested in who determined a public records request was required.

The information will help parents better understand and then engage in their schools' budget discussions.

Thank you in advance.

Cecilia McCormick
206-595-2366
> From: Legchair@scptsa.org
> To: kcgotsch@seattleschools.org; jacoe@seattleschools.org
> CC: brkroon@seattleschools.org; lhthorpe@seattleschools.org; cpvmac@hotmail.com; llnyland@seattleschools.org
> Subject: Re: PTA parents group requests enrollment data
> Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2015 22:01:28 +0000
>