California Public Records Act Request

The CPRA defines public records as including “any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public’s business prepared, owned, used, or retained” by the District. For a record to be disclosable under the CPRA, it must be related “to the conduct of the public’s business” and “prepared, owned, used, or retained by” the District. Student records are not considered public records. The CPRA does not require the District to create or prepare a record or document that does not exist at the time of the request. If producing records with requested information requires data compilation, extraction, or programming, the CPRA provides that the requester bears the cost of making the record. The district will advise the requester of the price, if any, involved in producing a record that requires data compilation.

In accordance with California Government Code section 7927.700 and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. §1232g; 34 CFR Part 99), specific information in records may be redacted to protect personal privacy. This ensures that personally identifiable student information is not disclosed, preventing direct or indirect identification of a student through linkages and safeguarding their privacy. This redaction process complies with FERPA and other applicable privacy laws. For further details, please refer to the California Public Records Act.

Information security records are protected under California Government Code section 7929.210 to prevent the disclosure of sensitive data that could expose vulnerabilities in public agencies' IT systems. By safeguarding such records, this exemption helps mitigate the risk of cyberattacks, ensuring the security of critical infrastructure and maintaining the safety of public information systems.

In accordance with California Government Code Sections 7927.700 and 7922.000, requests for the release of email addresses and other contact information of BUSD employees are denied. This is to protect the privacy of District employees and to prevent unwanted solicitation, harassment, and potential security risks. The release of such personal contact details could undermine employees' ability to perform their jobs effectively. It may compromise their safety, especially for those who may have been victims of violent crimes.

The CPRA recognizes exemptions that permit withholding records from disclosure. Common exemptions include personnel or medical records, preliminary drafts or memoranda that are not retained in the ordinary course of business, investigative records, and records that are subject to a privilege such as an attorney-client communication. Should a portion of a disclosable record contain confidential information, the District will redact such information before it is disclosed.

The District charges 0.25 cents for each page for copies of records up to 8 x 14 inches produced under a PRA Request, irrespective of whether they are produced in hard or electronic format. Additional charges apply for computer processing fees and postage. The actual cost of duplicating records produced in other formats, such as blueprints, computer disks, or electronic backup tapes, must be charged on a case-by-case, direct cost basis.