Information Requests (FOIL)
Under the New York State Public Officers Law (Article 6, Sections 84-90), the West Seneca Central School District complies with the rules and regulations of the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).
Except for records or portions thereof that fall within one of the statutory exemptions defined in Public Officers Law § 87(2), all records produced, filed, or maintained by the District are considered public documents and are subject to disclosure.
Submitting a FOIL Request
To ensure prompt processing, FOIL requests should be made in writing and describe the specific records sought with reasonable detail. The District will provide copies of records in the format and on the medium requested by the person filing the FOIL request if the District can reasonably do so regardless of burden, volume, or cost of the request. The District may charge a fee for copies (plus postage) as permitted by law and regulation.
The District may require a person requesting lists of names and addresses to provide a written certification that they will not use the lists of names and addresses for solicitation or fundraising purposes and will not sell, give, or otherwise make available the lists of names and addresses to any other person for the purpose of allowing that person to use the lists of names and addresses for solicitation or fundraising purposes.
Please include your full name and a reliable method of contact (email address, mailing address, or telephone number) so the District can deliver the records or seek clarification if needed.
Requests may be submitted via mail (or email) to the designated Records Access Officer:
You may mail your request to:
District Clerk / Records Access Officer
900 Mill Road
West Seneca, NY 14224
Requests for Records via Email
If the District has the capability to retrieve or extract electronic records with reasonable effort, it will provide the records electronically upon request. The District will accept requests for records submitted in the form of email and respond to those requests by email using the forms supplied by the District. This information will be posted on the District website, clearly designating the email address for purposes of receiving requests for records via this format.
When the District maintains requested records on the Internet, the response will inform the requester that the records are accessible via the Internet and in printed form either on paper or other information storage medium.
Email your request by clicking here.
FOIL Timelines & Appeals
Pursuant to Public Officers Law § 89(3), the District will respond to your request within five (5) business days of receipt by either: providing the records, denying the request in writing, or providing a written acknowledgment specifying the approximate date when the request will be granted or denied.
If you are denied access to any records, you have the right to file a written appeal within thirty (30) days to the District's designated FOIL Appeals Officer:
Superintendent of West Seneca Central School District
900 Mill Road
West Seneca, NY 14224
Alternatively, you may email your appeal by clicking here.
Resources
For more detailed information regarding the rules, regulations, and statutory exemptions of the Freedom of Information Law, please visit the New York State Committee on Open Government.
West Seneca Central School District Board of Education Policy 3310 linked here.