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Public Records Request

The following are guidelines for accessing public records from San Dieguito Union High School District under the California Public Records Act, Section 6250 of the Government Code and other applicable statutes and case law. 
 

TYPES OF INFORMATION THAT CAN BE REQUESTED

Responsive records to a public record request may include a wide variety of documents and other materials that were created or obtained by SDUHSD and are, at the time the request is filed, in SDUHSD's possession and control and not expressively exempt from disclosure. The CPRA does not require a public agency to create a record that it is not in possession of at the time of the request. Furthermore, a public records request is different than a question or series of questions posed to SDUHSD. Therefore, the CPRA does not require SDUHSD to answer written or oral questions submitted by members of the public.
 

IDENTIFYING RECORDS

Requests must be for records in the District and must be clearly identifiable records (Gov. Code Sec. 6253.). In order to help identify the records, requesters should provide specific information about the records they seek, being as specific as possible in describing the record, the applicable dates, and the office/school that created and maintains the records.
 

EXEMPT RECORDS

Exemptions for certain records found in the CPRA or other state and federal laws permit or require a public agency to withhold such records. Exemptions from disclosure contained in the CPRA or other laws are intended to serve two key purposes: to protect privacy rights and to provide a public agency with the ability to perform its assigned duties and functions in a reasonably efficient and effective manner. Although the CPRA alone has over 70 exemptions, provided below are a few general examples of records that may be considered exempt from disclosure:
  • Attorney-client privileged communication
  • Student records
  • Preliminary drafts
  • Personnel and/or medical records
  • Personal information
 

SUBMITTING REQUESTS

All records requests must be submitted via email to pra@sduhsd.net or mailed to the District office to the attention of the Communications Coordinator.
 
The PRA requires public agencies to initially respond to a request for records within ten calendar days. However, if the records are numerous or other factors make reviewing and collating the relevant documents or records difficult, SDUHSD may inform the requestor of the status of the request within ten days, and further inform the requestor of an estimated timeframe for completion. 
 

RECORDS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Public records include any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the District’s business prepared, owned, used or retained by the District regardless of physical form or characteristics and any records thereby created regardless of the manner in which the record has been stored.
 
Public access shall not be given to records listed as exempt from public disclosure in the California Public Records Act (CPRA) or other statutes. Exempt records fall within one of several exemptions in the Public Records Act. Records are commonly made exempt by state law. Examples of these exemptions include preliminary drafts and notes, pending litigation, and an employee's medical files. (See the Public Records Act below for a more complete list of exempt records.)