Parent says  schools Withholding records


Information is coming for Christe's 'wild goose chase,' district officials say

By BRIDGET E. SAMBURG

For Philip Christe, six weeks is too long to wait for the 49 requests for public information he has submitted to the Bedford Central School District.

Mr. Christe, a school board watchdog and outspoken critic of district affairs, expressed his discontent with the district's compliance during last week's Board of Education meeting. He told the board his requests to see school financial records are not being met in a timely fashion.

"This information is to be provided at the utmost speed," said Mr. Christe, who made his requests on March 24.

"We have to get them (the requested documents) out of the archives," said Assistant Superintendent Mark Betz. He said the information, which includes photocopies of the front and backs of 49 checks and the related invoices and purchase orders, involves erasing some confidential information. Mr. Betz said this will take much time and cannot be processed immediately Mr. Betz also noted that he responded to the initial request within five days and notified Mr. Christe that the information would be compiled for him no later than May 9.

Mr. Christe said he believes the information can be produced more quickly and is even willing to see it a bit at a time.

"We do have an administration to run," said Mr. Betz. "I don't know what his wild goose chase is about."

"Maybe Mr. Christe should file an FOI (Freedom of Information) request to see all of the FOI requests," said Dr. Dennis, suggesting Mr. Christe take into consideration the amount of requests handled by the central office.

Mr. Christe said he went over the district's check register before requesting information about checks, including those written to Planned Parenthood, Four Winds Hospital, The Wright Group, Whalen's Moving and Storage, Feminist Press, Wellspring Foundation and Mind Extension University.

"I just want to see where this money is going," said Mr. Christe. "My intent is not even relevant. For Mr. Betz to say I am on a wild goose chase is irrelevant." Mr. Christe said he is dissatisfied that the information will not be given to him until after school board elections.

"I'm just trying to get information," he said, adding that he is puzzled as to how confidentiality relates to his requests.

Verna Carr, the district's records officer, explained that bank account numbers are often written on the back of checks. This, she said, is confidential and cannot be released to the public. Mrs. Carr said this information, along with the person's name who endorsed the check, must be removed before the check is released. "He is requesting fronts and backs of checks," said Mrs. Carr, explaining this complicates the situation.

Mr. Christe said he has never requested to see the backs of any of the checks.

Mr. Betz explained that invoices may contain names of students which also may not be released to the public. He referred to the checks written to Four Winds Hospital and said these may have been payments for services regularly received by several children.

"I have to take student names out," said Mr. Betz. "That's confidential information on students" which, by law, cannot be released to the public.

Mr. Betz said the process of retrieving and preparing the information is long and involved. And, he said, he is not prepared to pay someone overtime to complete Mr. Christe's request. Therefore, he set May 9 as the date when everything could be completed.

"If this guy has all this time on his hands that's fine, but we have a business to run," said Mr. Betz, adding he also plans to review each document before it is released.

"The issue, to a great extent, involves how a record is kept," said Robert Freeman, executive director of the New York State Committee on Open Government. Mr. Freeman said six weeks its a reasonable amount of time to wait "if an agency has to go through what amounts to be a haystack to find the needles." He added that if information is available on computers, requests can generally be completed more quickly.

Mr. Betz said the only computerized records are check registers. All other invoices and checks are filed in boxes which are kept in the central office. Checks are arranged according to number, while invoices are organized according to vendor.

"These records are public information," reiterated Mr. Christe, adding "I am most interested in the Planned Parenthood ones." He said he is concerned with this organization because one of its policies "is to influence curriculum."

Mr. Betz said that until he reviews each check and invoice, he cannot provide detailed information on each purchase or payment. He was able to comment on the fact that a moving company is used each year to transport voting machines in and out of the schools. He said other payments may reflect the purchase of books or other teaching materials.

 Phil Christe Webpage