A Rudyard Kipling approach to (FOIA) requests – Part Three

In A Rudyard Kipling approach to (FOIA) requests - parts one and two, we:

read the FOIA legislation took the FOIA training read the frequently asked questions learned Butterly’s five steps to FOIA requests called into action Kipling and Butterly’s  seven good friends; who, what , when, where, how, why and how much noted basic underlying questions and thoughts developed questions reviewed existing public data determined who to send the FOIA request to, and wrote and submitted FOIA request by e-mail.

In parts three and four, we will:

inventory received documents by question post documents for public review determine if response documents answer questions and if required, develop additional questions reevaluate basic underlying questions and thoughts if required, write and submitted FOIA request by e-mail.

So let’s begin.

I received the following e-mail on May 19th, 2010 from Ms. Lynn Glickman; EMSD#63’s FOIA contact.

E-Mail EMSD#63 - FOIA Officer - Documents Ready

Then, on May 21st, 2010 I received the following letter from EMSD#63 attorneys; Scariano, Himes and Petrarca.

Dist #63 Attorney Letter of 5-21-2010

Note: I intend to follow up on the letter with SH&P and if need be, the IL Attorney General’s Office.  I have no idea of the specific type of information EMSD#63 withheld. 

I have worked with EMSD#63 management on over 1,050 FOIA requests since 2004.  At no time that I can recall, has the district resorted to using SH&P to issue its “intent to deny” statement.  Very curious indeed!

ENSD#63 delivered over 400 pages of information on May 21st, 2010.  Attached was the following cover letter.

FOIA 100505-001 - Response Letter fro EMSD#63 - 05-20-2010

Dr. Williams timesheets and payment data were thoughtfully and conveniently placed together.  This allowed me to quickly answer the e-mailer’s five questions.

Questions & Answers.

E-Mailer’s Questions In Order

Does Dr. Williams have a contract? Is she still consulting District 63? What is she doing? How many days has she worked? How much money have we paid for her services?

First question: Does Dr. Williams have a contract?

Ms. Glickman’s cover letter stated: “No proposal, agreement/contract, or written scope of work exists, and therefore no documents to this nature are enclosed.”

A consultants dream.

No proposal.  No written agreement or contract.  No written scope of work. Unlimited Number of Days. $900.00 Per Day + Expenses  No expectations!

Second question: Is she still consulting District 63?

Today is May 22nd.  Based upon the data presented below, she was still consulting East Maine School District #63 as of May 5th, 2010.

Third question: What is she doing?

Again, based upon the data presented below, Dr. Williams is providing various ancillary management services.  There are however, reasonable questions regarding the need of her providing these services, based on additional data received under FOIA # 100505-001.  I will elaborate in a future post.

Fourth question:  How many days has she worked?

Also, based upon the data presented below, records indicate that as of May 5th, 2010, Dr. Williams had worked a total of 72.50 days.

Fifth question: How much money have we paid for her services?

The records indicate that as of May 5th, 2010, Dr. Williams received $65,250.00 for her time.

Dr. Kathleen Williams time sheets and payment data are presented in two formats below.  The first report is a spreadsheet report showing data from each individual record plus totals.  The second report, is a PDF copy of all of the time sheet and payment records provided under FOIA # 100505-001.

Williams Time Sheet & Payments

 

Dr Williams - Consulting Payments - FOIA 100505-001001

Putting Dr. Kathleen Williams Consulting Dollars Into Perspective.

I have included for your review, a report based on Administrator Salary Data 2009-2010 supplied by EMSD#63 under the Freedom of Information Act. 

As you can see, Dr. Williams consulting fees, in terms of both daily, full-year and equivalent salary rates, outpace all full-time EMSD#63 Administrators by a large margin.  At her current daily-rate, Dr. Williams would make $60,000 more than Superintendant Clay.

Administrative Salary Comparison Report

We have now answered all five initial questions. 

In Rudyard Kipling approach to (FOIA) requests – Part Four, we will continue to present the data, discuss findings to date, develop new questions, and create, if necessary, additional  FOIA requests.

You now know everything you need to know to write your own FOIA request. 

I hope this series has been helpful.

Your comments and questions, as always, are most welcome.