Public Information Requests

All "public records" maintained by the Ocean Springs School District (OSSD) Board of Trustees (BOT), as defined by the Act, shall be made available for access and duplication, subject to the exceptions and requirements of these policies, and other state or federal laws.

• Photocopying: 30 cents per page, with a minimum charge of $1.00 per search; 
• Searching/Reviewing/Redaction: An hourly charge which equals the actual wage per hour of such person that performs the task; and,  
• Postage: Actual cost of postage shall be assessed for all records mailed. 

1. Records furnished to public bodies by third parties which contain trade secrets or confidential, commercial or financial information, as provided by the Act;
2. Records which are confidential or privileged, as provided by constitutional, statutory or case law of this state or of the United States;
3. Records which are developed among judges, judges and their aides, and juries;
4. Personnel records, including but not limited to applications for employment, test questions and answers used in employment examinations, and letters of recommendation;
5. Test questions and answers in the possession of a public body which are to be used in future academic examinations;
6. Records which represent and constitute the work product of an attorney representing the OSSD, records which are related to litigation by or against the OSSD, or in anticipation of prospective litigation, and communications between the OSSD and the attorney in the course of an attorney client relationship;
7. Records which would disclose information about a person's individual tax payment or status;
8. Records concerning the sale or purchase of property for public purposes prior to the announcement of the purchase or sale where the release of the record would have a detrimental effect on the sale and purchase;
9. All educational records of students and former students, as defined by Policy JR - Student Records and by the Federal Privacy Act; such exemption shall also apply to letters of recommendation respecting admission to any educational agency or institution;
10. Records that are maintained regarding the process of detection and investigation of unlawful activity, in addition to such records as defined in MS Code § 45-29-1;
11. Commercial and financial information of a proprietary nature required to be submitted to the OSSD;
12. Records that would reveal the identity of informants and/or witnesses;
13. Records that would prematurely release information that would impede OSSD's enforcement, detective, or investigative efforts;
14. Records which are compiled in the process of detecting or investigating unlawful behavior or activity, the disclosure of which would harm the investigation;
15. Records that would disclose investigative techniques and/or results thereof;
16. Records that would deprive a person of a fair or impartial trial;
17. Information which would qualify for presentation in executive session;
18. Certain information technology (IT) records in accordance with MS Code § 25-61-11.2;
19. Records that would endanger the life of a student or employee of the OSSD; and,
20. If a public record contains material which is exempt and the exempted material can be redacted, the OSSD shall redact the exempt material and make the non-exempt material available.
21. Records which would disclose any information about OSSD’s School Safety Plan.

In the event that the OSSD denies a request for access to or copies of public records, the denial will be in writing and contain a statement of the reasons for the denial. OSSD will maintain a file of all denials for a period of three (3) years. The file shall be made available for inspection and/or copying during regular hours upon receipt of a written request.

MS Code § 45-29-1
MS Code § 25-61-11.2
Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards
MS Code as cited