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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 get them.
How to obtain Public Records
The Public Schools of Brookline encourages you to use the Request a Public Record link to make a public records request of the School District. This helps to ensure the most expeditious and accurate response to your request. Otherwise, written requests may be delivered by hand, mail, or email.
Click on the image below to Request a Public Record:
Cost of Public Records Request
Research CostThere is no cost for the first two hours of time we need to find records. After two hours, the fee is no more than $25.00 per hour. When we review a request, we will provide you an estimate of how much the research will cost.
Paper Copies of Records
The Public Schools of Brookline departments assume you would like electronic copies of records if we have them. The cost of black and white paper copies of documents is $.05 per page.
Tips
Each request is processed in the order in which it is received. Various factors affect processing time, including the request’s size and complexity, and nature of the records sought.
- Consider how you can narrow the scope of your request to expedite the production process.
- The Public Schools of Brookline must adhere to the law requiring that it to secure personally identifiable information and prevent unwarranted invasions of privacy. Documents containing such information must be redacted carefully before releasing, expanding time needed for production. Consider how you might revise your public records request to exclude records containing such information.
- Please note, the information you seek may already be available online. The City maintains many documents online. You may want to check the City’s website and/or the Public Schools of Brookline website before making a request to see if the documents you are seeking are already available.
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. That law went into effect January 1, 2017.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts broadly defines what constitutes a public record. The public records law includes nearly all documentary materials or data of any form generated, received or maintained by the Town, its employees, boards, committees and commissions. In order to protect certain privacy and security interests, there are certain narrowly defined statutory exemptions prohibiting particular public records, or portions thereof, from disclosure. A list of public records that are exempt may be found.
The following information is offered to guide the public in gaining access to public records in the custody of the Town. The information and lists contained herein are not exhaustive, and any questions or concerns regarding public records should be directed to the Records Access Officer.
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