We used to use the phrase “Bring Big Flashlights” when we first started, but like many things, there were lots of “Shiny Objects” that captured my attention over the years. And after my latest DCYF-induced hiatus of several months, I am starting to rev back up again.
And what better way than to go back to doing what our NH Constitution holds us, we citizens, responsible to be actively doing:
[Art.] 8. [Accountability of Magistrates and Officers; Public’s Right to Know.] All power residing originally in, and being derived from, the people, all the magistrates and officers of government are their substitutes and agents, and at all times accountable to them. Government, therefore, should be open, accessible, accountable and responsive. To that end, the public’s right of access to governmental proceedings and records shall not be unreasonably restricted. The public also has a right to an orderly, lawful, and accountable government…
and
[Art.] 38. [Social Virtues Inculcated.] A frequent recurrence to the fundamental principles of the constitution, and a constant adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry, frugality, and all the social virtues, are indispensably necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty and good government; the people ought, therefore, to have a particular regard to all those principles in the choice of their officers and representatives, and they have a right to require of their lawgivers and magistrates, an exact and constant observance of them, in the formation and execution of the laws necessary for the good administration of government.
After all, if you accept the definition of “Character” to be “that which a person does when they don’t think anyone is looking or can find out”, I have learned the hard way that there are more than a few that have no compunction in trying VERY hard to do those things the rest of us would turn in disgust. Therefore, we ALL must be vigilant and observant to ensure that those we put into trust positions, by election, appointment, or by hiring, continuously keep to high standards in keep that trust alive. It’s called Accountability.
So, in my restart, baby steps. After all, I am getting a bit creaky and starting to run takes a bit of time which makes me a bit cranky. That said, can one find joyfulness in being cranky the right way (I’m sure trying to make that happen!)? Well, I’m going to try:
—— Original Message ——
From “Skip” <Skip@granitegrok.com>
To randerson@mascenic.org; jlampinen@mascenic.org; tfalter@mascenic.org; kmatson@mascenic.org; eneilson@mascenic.org
Date 10/12/2023 1:47:02 PM
Subject RSA 91-A Demand for SAU87 Enrollment InformationGood afternoon, School Board members,
Please find, attached to this email, a Right To Know demand for Enrollment information for the past five (5) years for the High School as well as the District as a whole.
I thank you for your lawful attention in this matter.
-Skip
Skip Murphy
Founder, co-owner
GraniteGrok.com | Skip@GraniteGrok.com
And, since I haven’t posted one in full for a while, here is the RSA 91-A demand that I sent:
October 12, 2023
Right to Know Request per RSA-91A: Total Enrollment information for the Mascenic Regional School District / SAU87
[Art.] 8. [Accountability of Magistrates and Officers; Public’s Right to Know.] All power residing originally in, and being derived from, the people, all the magistrates and officers of government are their substitutes and agents, and at all times accountable to them. Government, therefore, should be open, accessible, accountable and responsive…The public also has a right to an orderly, lawful, and accountable government…
Demand:
Pursuant to the Right to Know Law (RSA. 91-A:4 (I) ), I am demanding access, within 5 business days, to the below enumerated Governmental records:
- For the last five (5) years, the following enrollment numbers:
- High School number of students
- Total District number of students
If this cannot be fulfilled within that 5 business day mandated window per RSA 91-A:2, II, please advise when the Responsive Record(s) will be made available.
Per RSA 91-A:4 IV(c) If you deny any portion of this request, please cite the specific exemption (RSA 91-A:5) used to justify the denial to make each record, or part thereof, available for inspection along with a brief explanation of how the exemption applies to the information withheld.
Additional: It is not up to the Requester to be made to look up the subjects or materials that are the focus of this Right To Know (e.g., from the Respondent: “here’s the URL so do the search yourself”). It is the responsibility of the Respondent to fully supply all demanded materials.
As you are aware, in 2016, the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that a governmental body in possession of records is required to produce them in electronic media using standard common file formats: Green v. SAU #55, 168 N.H. 796, 801 (2016). Unless there is some reason that it is not reasonably practical to produce such, explain why it is not practical to comply.
Please also note, per RSA 91-A:4 III, III-a, and III-b, you are required to maintain the safety and accessibility of such Responsive Records. This also includes such responsive records (e.g., emails, query files, policies) which may have been deleted from respective local hardcopy or software systems but are still available on the applicable servers or in application or archival system(s) either in-house or hosted.
Please let me know when these records are available for inspection or you may email the records to me at Skip@GraniteGrok.com. If the volume is turns out to be substantial, I’ll be happy to supply a Dropbox folder invite to hold the responsive records.
Thank you for your lawful attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Skip Murphy
Founder
GraniteGrok.com
I also sent a similar one for the budgetary information for the District as a whole as well as for the high school budget.
The clock has started to tick…
