FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

 

In the Matter of a Complaint by                                         FINAL DECISION

 

Carrie W. Gordon and Success Programs,

 

                        Complainants

 

            against                                                       Docket #FIC 88‑249

 

Stamford Superintendent of Schools,

 

                        Respondent                                               October 12, 1988

 

            The above‑captioned matter was heard as a contested case on August 17, 1988, at which time the complainants and the respondent appeared, stipulated to certain facts and presented testimony, exhibits and argument on the complaint.

 

            After consideration of the entire record, the following facts are found:

 

            1.         The respondent is a public agency within the meaning of §1‑18a(a), G.S.

 

            2.         By letter dated May 26, 1988 the complainants made a request of the respondent for a list of parents of tenth and eleventh grade students in the respondent's school system.

 

            3.         The respondent failed to respond to the complainants' request.

 

            4.         By letter of complaint filed with the Commission on June 27, 1988 the complainants appealed the respondent's failure to provide the requested records.

 

            5.         At hearing, the complainants clarified their request by stating that they were seeking the names and addresses of parents of tenth and eleventh grade students.

 

            6.         At hearing the respondent requested a continuance for the purpose of presenting an additional witness, which request was denied.

 

            7.         It is found that information maintained by the Stamford school system includes each student's name and home address, the names of all brothers and sisters 21 years or younger living at the same address, the name of the "head of the

 

Docket #FIC 88‑249                                                                                                 Page Two

 

household," parents' or a guardian's names, occupations and places of employment and the names and addresses of persons to contact in an emergency.

 

            8.         It is further found that the records maintained by the Stamford school system do not specifically identify parents' addresses.  Mailings from the school system are sent "to the parents of," followed by each student's name and address.

 

            9.         It is concluded that the respondent does not maintain a list such as was requested by the complainants.

 

            10.       It is further concluded that the respondent did not violate §§1‑15 or 1‑19(a), G.S. when he failed to provide the complainants with a list of the names and addresses of parents of tenth and eleventh grade students.

 

            11.       Based on the above conclusion, the Commission does not need to address other claims of the respondent regarding the disclosability of the information requested.

 

            The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above‑captioned complaint.

 

            1.         The complaint is hereby dismissed.

 

            Approved by order of the Freedom of Information Commission at its special meeting of October 12, 1988.

 

                                                                                                   

                                                                             Catherine H. Lynch

                                                                             Acting Clerk of the Commission