Public Information or Open Records Requests

 The Texas Public Information Act gives the public the right to request access to government information.  The Act is triggered when a person submits a written (electronically or hardcopy) request to the government body.  The request must include the following:
  • Requestor's Name
  • Address
  • Phone Number
  • Email or Fax Number, if applicable to receive information
  • Description of the information being requested

Public information includes any information that is collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a government entity in connection with the transaction of official business.  The Public Information Act applies to records regardless of their format.  It includes information that is maintained in paper, tape, microfilm, video, electronic data held in a computer memory as well as other mediums specified under law.

The information requested must already exist. The Texas Public Information Act does not require a government body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions.

A person may ask to view the information onsite, get copies of the information, or both. 

Charges to the Requestor: If a request is for copies of information, the government body may assess a reasonable fee.  If the request is only to inspect the information, usually the government body does not impose a fee.  However, under limited circumstances a fee maybe charged to access the information.  All fees must comply with attorney general rules, unless another statue authorizes an agency to set its own charges. The entity must provide the requestor with an estimate of cost before charging a fee.

Once a request is received, the government body has ten (10) days provide the request information.  If it will take longer than 10 days produce the information, the government body must notify the requestor.

Requesting Data from the School District
  • Request the information be provided electronically.  This will help reduce costs.

Athletic Participation Data
  1. Sample Statement - "Please provide the "High School Participation Report" submitted to the UIL for the [insert period:  20??-20??, 20??-20??, and 20??-20??] academic year(s) that documents the number of male and female students participating in UIL athletics by high school and sport."
  • To see trends, it is suggested to request reports for at least the last  three (3) years.
  • This information can also be requested from the state athletic association (i.e. U.I.L., in Texas).  However, our experience is that school districts are less likely to a charge fee for an electronic copy of the information.

TItle IX Compliance Efforts
  1. Sample Statement - "Please provide documents that establish policies and procedures for initiating, expanding, and supporting athletic opportunities for female students within [name] ISD."
  2. Sample Statement - "Please provide documents that support [ISD]'s compliance with Title IX in the provision of athletic opportunities for the academic year(s) of [insert period: 20??-20??, 20??-20??, and 20??-20??].  Documents of interest demonstrate: (1) efforts to continually expand female sports opportunities; and/or, (2) that female athletic interests are being fully accommodated.
  • For consistency, the time periods requested should align with the requested participation data academic periods.
Links to Tarrant County School Districts
(accurate as of Nov 2016)