Public Records Requests
Under Massachusetts law, every person has a right to access public government records. Not all records are public, and you may need to pay a fee to obtain them.
How to Obtain Public Records
The Public Schools of Brookline encourages you to use the Request a Public Record form to submit a request to the School District. This helps ensure the most timely and accurate response. Written requests may also be delivered by hand, mail, or email.
Request a Public Record:
Cost of Public Records Requests
Research Cost
There is no cost for the first two hours required to locate records. After two hours, the fee is no more than $25.00 per hour. When your request is reviewed, you will receive an estimate of any applicable research costs.
Paper Copies of Records
The Public Schools of Brookline assumes that electronic copies are preferred when available. The cost of black-and-white paper copies is $0.05 per page.
Tips
Requests are processed in the order they are received. Processing time may vary depending on the size, complexity, and type of records requested.
- Consider narrowing the scope of your request to help expedite processing.
- The Public Schools of Brookline must protect personally identifiable information and prevent unwarranted invasions of privacy. Documents containing such information must be carefully redacted, which may increase processing time. Consider revising your request to exclude records containing sensitive information when possible.
- Some information may already be available online. You may wish to review the Town of Brookline website or the Public Schools of Brookline website before submitting a request.
Public Records Law and Resources
On June 3, 2016, Governor Baker signed into law "An Act to Improve Public Records," enhancing public access to information. The law went into effect on January 1, 2017.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts broadly defines public records as nearly all documentary materials or data of any form generated, received, or maintained by the Town, its employees, boards, committees, and commissions. Certain statutory exemptions protect privacy and security interests by restricting access to specific records or portions of records.
A list of exemptions to public records disclosure is available.
The following resources may help guide you in accessing public records:
Contact Us
Kathleen Davock
Schools Records Access Officer (RAO)
Phone: (617) 730-2401
Email: kathleen_davock@psbma.org
Address:
Brookline Town Hall
333 Washington St., 5th Floor
Brookline, MA 02445