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No. 801-AR
EASTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
ADMINISTRATIVE
REGULATION
ADOPTED: DECEMBER 18, 2008
801-AR. EXEMPTED RECORDS
To determine if a requested record is exempt from access, the Open Records Officer will
consider and apply each exemption separately.
The following records are exempt from public access by a requester in accordance with the
Right-To-Know Law.
1.
Loss of Funds/Physical Harm/Personal Security - when the disclosure of a record would
result in the district’s loss of federal or state funds or would reasonably be likely to result in a
substantial and demonstrable risk of physical harm to or personal security of an individual.
2.
Public Safety - when the disclosure of a record maintained in connection with the military,
homeland security, national defense, law enforcement or other public safety activity would
reasonably be likely to jeopardize or threaten public safety or public protection activity, or a
record that is designated classified by an appropriate federal or state military authority.
3.
Safety/Security of Facilities - when the disclosure of a record creates a reasonable likelihood
of endangering the safety or physical security of a building, public utility, resource,
infrastructure, facility, or information storage system, which may include:
a.
Documents or data relating to computer hardware; source files; software; and system
networks that could jeopardize computer security by exposing a vulnerability in
preventing, protecting against, mitigating or responding to a terrorist act.
b.
Lists of infrastructure, resources and significant special events, including those defined
by the federal government in the National Infrastructures Protections, that are deemed
critical due to their nature and result from risk analysis; threat assessments;
consequences assessments; antiterrorism protective measures and plans;
counterterrorism measures and plans; and security needs assessments.
c.
Building plans or infrastructure records that expose or create vulnerability through
disclosure of the location, configuration or security of critical systems, including public
utility systems; structural elements; technology; communication; electrical; fire
suppression; ventilation; water; wastewater; sewage; and gas systems.
4.
Computer Systems - when the disclosure of a record regarding computer hardware, software
and networks, including administrative and technical records, would reasonably be likely to
jeopardize computer security.
801-AR. EXEMPTED RECORDS
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5.
Medical Information - when the disclosure of a record of an individual’s medical, psychiatric
or psychological history or disability status, including an evaluation; consultation;
prescription; diagnosis or treatment; results of tests, to include drug tests; enrollment in a
health care program or program designed for participation by persons with disabilities,
including vocational rehabilitation; workers’ compensation and unemployment
compensation; or related information would disclose individually identifiable health
information.
6.
Personal Identification Information - disclosure of the following personal identification
information:
a.
A record containing all or part of an individual’s Social Security number; driver’s
license; driver’s license number; personal financial information; home, cellular or
personal telephone numbers; personal e-mail addresses; employee number or other
confidential personal identification number.
b.
A spouse’s name, marital status, beneficiary or dependent information.
c.
The home address of a law enforcement officer or judge.
Personal information that must be disclosed includes the name; position; salary; actual
compensation or other payments or expenses; employment contract; employment-related
contract or agreement; and length of service of a public official or district employee.
The Open Records Officer may redact from a record the name or other identifying
information relating to an individual performing an undercover or covert law enforcement
activity.
7.
Certain Employee Information - disclosure of the following records relating to a district
employee:
a.
A letter of reference or recommendation pertaining to the character or qualifications of
an identifiable individual, unless it was prepared in relation to the appointment of an
individual to fill a vacancy in an elected office or an appointed office requiring Senate
confirmation.
b.
A performance rating or review.
c.
The result of a civil service or similar test administered by a Commonwealth agency,
legislative agency or judicial agency. The result of a civil service or similar test
administered by a local agency shall not be disclosed if restricted by a collective
bargaining agreement. Only test scores of individuals who obtained a passing score on a
test administered by a local agency may be disclosed.
d.
The employment application of an individual who is not hired by the district.
e.
Workplace support services information.
801-AR. EXEMPTED RECORDS
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f.
Written criticisms of a district employee.
g.
Grievance material, including documents related to discrimination or sexual harassment.
h.
Information regarding discipline, demotion or discharge contained in a personnel file,
except information that applies to the district’s final action that results in demotion or
discharge.
i.
An academic transcript.
8.
Labor Relations/Negotiations/Arbitration - disclosure of a record pertaining to strategy or
negotiations relating to labor relations or collective bargaining and related arbitration
proceedings. In the case of the arbitration of a dispute or grievance under a collective
bargaining agreement, disclosure of an exhibit entered into evidence at an arbitration
proceeding or a transcript of the arbitration or the opinion.
This exemption does not apply to a final or executed contract or agreement between the
parties in a collective bargaining agreement, or to the final award or order of the arbitrator in
a dispute or grievance procedure.
9.
Predecisional Drafts - disclosure of the draft of a bill, resolution, regulation, statement of
policy, management directive, or ordinance, or their amendments, prepared by or for the
district.
10. Predecisional Deliberations -
Disclosure of a record that reflects:
a.
The internal, predecisional deliberations of the district, its Board members, employees or
officials, or predecisional deliberations between district Board members, employees or
officials and members, employees or officials of another agency, including predecisional
deliberations relating to a budget recommendation; legislative proposal; legislative
amendment; contemplated or proposed policy or course of action; or any research,
memos or other documents used in the predecisional deliberations, subject to law
governing open meetings.
Public records do include a record of any of the above that is not exempt from access by
law and which is presented to a quorum for deliberation in accordance with law
governing open meetings; a written or Internet application or document that has been
submitted to request Commonwealth funds; and the results of public opinion surveys,
polls, focus groups, marketing research or similar efforts designed to measure public
opinion.
b.
The strategy to be used to develop or achieve the successful adoption of a budget,
legislative proposal or regulation.
801-AR. EXEMPTED RECORDS
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11. Trade Secret/Confidential Proprietary Information - disclosure of a record that constitutes or
reveals a trade secret or confidential proprietary information.
12. Personal Notes/Working Papers - disclosure of notes and working papers prepared by or for a
district public official or employee used solely for that official’s or employee’s own personal
use, including telephone message slips; routing slips; and other materials that do not have an
official purpose.
13. Donor Identity - disclosure of records that would disclose the identity of an individual who
lawfully makes a donation to the district, unless the donation is intended for or restricted to
providing remuneration or personal tangible benefit to a district public official or employee,
including lists of potential donors compiled by the district to pursue donations; donor profile
information; or personal identifying information relating to a donor.
14. Unpublished Academic Works - disclosure of unpublished lecture notes, unpublished
manuscripts, unpublished articles, creative works in progress, research-related material, and
scholarly correspondence of a community college or an institution of the State System of
Higher Education or one of their faculty members, employees, guest speakers or students.
15. Academic Records - disclosure of academic transcripts, examinations, examination
questions, scoring keys and answers to examinations, including licensing and other
examinations relating to the qualifications of an individual; examinations given in district
schools; and examinations given in institutions of higher education.
16. Criminal Investigations - disclosure of a record of the district or an agency relating to or
resulting in a criminal investigation, including:
a.
Complaints of potential criminal conduct other than a private criminal complaint.
b.
Investigative materials, notes, correspondence, videos and reports.
c.
A record that includes the identity of a confidential source or of a suspect who has not
been charged with an offense to whom confidentiality has been promised.
d.
A record that includes information made confidential by law or court order.
e.
Victim information, including any information that would jeopardize the safety of a
victim.
f.
A record that if disclosed would reveal the institution, progress or result of a criminal
investigation, except the filing of criminal charges; deprive an individual of the right to a
fair trial or impartial adjudication; impair the ability to locate a defendant or
codefendant; hinder an agency’s ability to secure an arrest, prosecution or conviction; or
endanger the life or physical safety of an individual.
801-AR. EXEMPTED RECORDS
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This exemption does not apply to information contained in a police blotter as defined in
law and utilized or maintained by the State Police, local, campus, transit or port
authority police department or other law enforcement agency, or in a traffic report
except as provided by law.
17. Noncriminal Investigations - disclosure of a district record relating to a noncriminal
investigation, including:
a.
Complaints submitted to the district.
b.
Investigative materials, notes, correspondence and reports.
c.
A record that includes the identity of a confidential source, including individuals subject
to the Whistleblower Law.
d.
A record that includes information made confidential by law.
e.
Work papers underlying an audit.
f.
A record that if disclosed would reveal the institution, progress or result of a district
investigation, except the imposition of a fine or civil penalty; the suspension,
modification or revocation of a license, permit, registration, certification or similar
authorization issued by an agency or an executed settlement unless the agreement is
determined to be confidential by a court; deprive a person of the right to an impartial
adjudication; constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy; hinder an agency’s ability to
secure an administrative or civil sanction; or endanger the life or physical safety of an
individual.
18. Emergency Communications - disclosure of records or parts of records, except time response
logs, pertaining to audio recordings, telephone or radio transmissions received by emergency
dispatch personnel, including 911 recordings, unless the agency or a court determines that the
public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest in nondisclosure.
19. DNA/RNA - disclosure of DNA and RNA records.
20. Coroner/Medical Examiner - disclosure of specific records and reports of a coroner or
medical examiner.
21. Draft Minutes - disclosure of draft minutes of any School Board meeting until the next
regularly scheduled Board meeting, minutes of an executive session, and any record of
discussions held in executive session.
22. Real Estate Appraisals/Feasibility Studies - disclosure of the contents of real estate
appraisals, engineering or feasibility estimates, environmental reviews, audits or evaluations
made for or by the district relative to the leasing, acquiring, or disposing of real property or
an interest in real property; the purchase of public supplies or equipment included in the real
estate transaction; and construction projects.
801-AR. EXEMPTED RECORDS
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This exemption does not apply to the documents listed above once the decision is made to
proceed with the lease, acquisition or disposal of real property or an interest in real property,
the purchase of public supplies, or a construction project.
23. Library Records - disclosure of library and archive circulation and order records of an
identifiable individual or groups of individuals.
24. Library/Museum Materials - disclosure of library archived and museum materials or valuable
or rare book collections or documents contributed by gift, grant, bequest or devise, to the
extent of any limitations imposed by the donor as a condition of the contribution.
25. Archeological Site/Endangered Species - disclosure of a record identifying the location of an
archeological site or an endangered or threatened plant or animal species if not already
known to the general public.
26. Pre-Contract Award Documents - disclosure of a proposal pertaining to district procurement
or disposal of supplies, service or construction prior to the award of the contract or prior to
the opening and rejection of all bids; financial information of a bidder or offerer requested in
an invitation for bid or request for proposals to demonstrate the bidder’s or offerer’s
economic capability; or the identity of members, notes and other records of district proposal
evaluation committees established under law relating to competitive sealed proposals.
27. Insurance Communications - disclosure of a record or information relating to a
communication between the district and its insurance carrier, administrative service
organization or risk management office.
This exemption does not apply to a contract with an insurance carrier, administrative service
organization or risk management office, or to financial records relating to the provision of
insurance.
28. Social Services - disclosure of a record or information identifying an individual who applies
for or receives social services, the type of social services received by an individual, an
individual’s application to receive social services, or eligibility to receive social services.
29. General Assembly Correspondence - disclosure of correspondence between an individual and
member of the General Assembly and records accompanying the correspondence that would
identify an individual requesting assistance or constituent services, except for
correspondence between a member of the General Assembly and a principal or lobbyist
under law.
30. Minors - disclosure of a record identifying the name, home address or date of birth of a child
seventeen (17) years of age or younger.
801-AR. EXEMPTED RECORDS
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Financial Records
The listed exemptions do not apply to financial records, except that the Open Records Officer
shall redact the portions of a financial record protected under exemptions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 16
or 17.
Aggregated Data
The listed exemptions do not apply to aggregated data maintained or received by the district,
except for data protected under exemptions 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
Law Enforcement Activity
The Open Records Officer will not disclose the identity of an individual performing an
undercover or covert law enforcement activity.