St. Johns County School District http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us

School District Superintendent, Joseph G. Joyner's Contact Info,
9045477502
[email protected]

Wards Creek Elementary http://wwwwce.stjohns.k12.fl.us

Bartram Trail High School http://wwwbths.stjohns.k12.fl.us/adm...

An Overview of Florida's public record law,
https://www.floridabar.org/DIVCOM/PI/...

Below is my email to the St. Johns County School Superintendent

Superintendent Joyner,
On Thursday May 28th I visited Wards Creek Elementary School, and Bartram Trail High School to submit an In person public records request. My request at both locations was to inspect the fire safety documents related to the FAAP. These are documents that are located on site at the schools and it was my request to inspect and photograph the original documents. At both schools I was instructed that St. Johns County School Board policy required me to make the request through the main offices downtown before I would be allowed to inspect and photograph the records located on site at the schools. I was also informed by BTHS Principal Dawn Sapp that I was required to identify myself despite the fact that I was making a public records request. Principal Sapp also called law enforcement on me which resulted in me being followed by a St.Johns County Sheriff's Deputy for approximately 10 minutes as I was driving home.

It is my understanding of Florida's public records law that I have a right to inspect and photograph non exempt public records at the location where the records are stored, in their original format. It is unlawful for a custodian of records to create hurdles not authorized by the Florida Legislature. It is also my understanding that the records custodian cannot require ID as a condition of access.

Could you please clarify the official public records policy of St.Johns County Schools.

WHO CAN REQUEST PUBLIC RECORDS?
Florida State Law requires that all public records (unless exempt) be open for personal inspection by anyone [Ch. 119.01(1), F.S.]. Florida State Law requires that all public records (unless exempt) be open for personal inspection by anyone [Ch. 119.01(1), F.S.]. The Public Records Act requires no showing of purpose or "special interest" as a condition of access to public records. Unless authorized by law, an agency may not ask the requestor to produce identification as a condition to providing public records.

Nothing in Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, requires that a requesting party make a demand for public records in person or in writing.

Section 119.07(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that "[e]very person who has custody of a public record shall permit the record to be inspected and copied by any person desiring to do so, at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the custodian of public records or the custodian's designee."

The public records act does not contain a specific time limit ( such as 24 hours or ten days ) for compliance with public records request. The Florida Supreme Court has stated that the only delay in producing records permitted under chapter 119, Florida Statues, is the reasonable time allowed the custodian to retrieve the record and delete those portions of the record the custodian asserts are exempt.

Sincerely,
Jeff Gray

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