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Senate Open Government Committee hears testimony on student records

2022-03-31T17:08:43-05:00

By Kelley Shannon FOI Foundation of Texas Executive Director AUSTIN _While federal law prevents a student's record from public release once the student is in college, laws are not as clear for those who applied to but did not attend the school, witnesses told the Senate Open Government Committee on Wednesday. "There is definitely a gap there," said Carol Longoria, assistant deputy to the president of the University of Texas at Austin. However, she said, the university has successfully argued to the Attorney General's Office that applicants' records should be kept private, too. Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, chairman of the Senate [...]

Senate Open Government Committee hears testimony on student records2022-03-31T17:08:43-05:00

Beaumont Enterprise Editorial: BISD superintendent search must be open, list all finalists

2014-11-06T20:47:23-06:00

Editorial Staff Beaumont Enterprise Originally published Nov. 6, 2014 Many school districts in Texas will be looking for a new superintendent in the near future, and it goes without saying that all of these searches should be fully transparent. Nowhere, however, is that more important than in the Beaumont ISD. This is a school district that has undergone the ultimate act of state takeover. The new board of managers is putting it back together brick by brick, and the hiring of the next superintendent will be one of its most important tasks. The managers began the long search for a new leader with [...]

Beaumont Enterprise Editorial: BISD superintendent search must be open, list all finalists2014-11-06T20:47:23-06:00

On the road again: Open Government Seminar headed to Denton

2014-11-05T20:19:41-06:00

AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting an Open Government Seminar in Denton for residents throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area featuring training in the state’s public meetings and public records laws. The non-profit FOI Foundation, partnering with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office, will offer the one-day seminar on Tuesday, Dec. 9, in Denton. It is designed for government employees, journalists and any citizens who want to learn more about the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act. “Texas open government laws allow citizens to access information and participate in our democracy. These laws also [...]

On the road again: Open Government Seminar headed to Denton2014-11-05T20:19:41-06:00

Amarillo Globe-News editorial on disclosing superintendent finalists: The more, the merrier

2014-11-04T18:41:01-06:00

Amarillo Globe-News Originally published on Nov. 3, 2014 When voters go the polls today, there will be several races that are more or less history. These races (if that is the correct term since there is no competition) feature a lone candidate. Talk about ballot box boredom. There is a more serious issue, though, as far as how our leaders are chosen, and this has more to do with public responsibility and accountability than voting. Dumas Independent School District’s Board of Trustees recently named a lone finalist for superintendent. Speaking of voting, a final vote on the superintendent position is scheduled [...]

Amarillo Globe-News editorial on disclosing superintendent finalists: The more, the merrier2014-11-04T18:41:01-06:00

Save or delete? Official email policies vary by state

2014-10-30T14:10:56-05:00

By Jenni Bergal Stateline Originally published Oct. 30, 2014 In Pennsylvania, state agency employees’ email is purged five days after it is deleted. In New York, email is automatically discarded after 90 days unless an employee specifically tags it. And in North Carolina, executive branch email of any kind must be kept for at least five years. Every state has policies governing how long records are saved and when they can be purged—if ever. But those retention policies vary greatly across states. Often employees have to determine on their own whether to keep or delete an email. Many media and open [...]

Save or delete? Official email policies vary by state2014-10-30T14:10:56-05:00
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