Open Records
The Right-to-Know Law is Pennsylvania’s open records law. It requires government agencies in Pennsylvania to provide access to and copies of public records to the public. On February 14, 2008, Governor Rendell signed amendments to the Right-to-Know Law into law. Although some provisions took effect immediately, most provisions in the new law took effect on January 1, 2009.
The Law, as amended, fundamentally changes the structure of Pennsylvania’s open records law in that it presumes that all records held by state and local agencies are public. However, the Law contains 30 categories of records that are exempt from disclosure under the Law, including records that, if disclosed, would threaten homeland security or a person’s personal security, criminal investigative records, medical records, and certain personnel records.
For the first time since the Right -to- Know Law was passed in 1957, it will give citizens the ability to appeal open records disputes to an administrative agency, the Office of Open Records, without the need to file a court action. Furthermore, the new law guarantees access to public records in the possession of government contractors performing “governmental functions” on behalf of an agency. The law also shortens agency response times.
PENNCREST School District recognizes the importance of public records as the record of the district's actions and the repository of information about this district. The public has the right to access and procure copies of public records, with certain exceptions, subject to law, Board policy and administrative regulations.
Open Records Officer
The Board of Education has designated Christine Shields, as the Open Records Officer for PENNCREST School District. Contact information follows:
Open Records Officer
PENNCREST School District
District Administration Offices
18741 State Highway 198, Suite 101
PO Box 808
Saegertown, PA 16433-0808
E-mail: openrecords@penncrest.org
Fax: 814-350-2973
Telephone: 814-763-2323
Appeals
If a written request for access to a record is denied or deemed denied, the requester may file an appeal with the Pennsylvania office of Open Records within fifteen (15) business days of the mailing date of the district’s Open Records Officer’s response or deemed denial. Contact information follows:
Physical Address:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Office of Open Records
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 North Street, Plaza Level
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225
Mailing Address:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Office of Open Records
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 North Street, 4th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225
Phone:
717-346-9903
Fax:
717-425-5343
Web Site :
http://openrecords.state.pa.us
General Email:
openrecords@state.pa.us
View the following PDF Documents that relate to Open Records / Right-to-Know
Note: The District's Right-to-Know Request Form is available below; however, the requester may also use the Standard Right-to-Know Request Form which is available from the State Office of Open Records.