Informal Requests for Other Division Information or Documents

Citizens and members of the media are encouraged to submit informal requests for information and documents relating to the School Division to the Department of Communications and Technology.  Other than routine inquiries regarding school activities, athletic or extracurricular events or similar matters unique to a school, requests or inquiries for official Division information or documents which are made to individual schools or other departments of the School Division, should be forwarded immediately to the Department of Communications and Technology.  These requests will be handled as expeditiously as possible, but will not be considered requests made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Act, or any other formal legal vehicle.

Legal Requests Made Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act or the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Act

FOIA and the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Act provide the public with access to existing non-exempt official records of a public agency, but do not require the Division to generate or create records,
nor respond to inquiries for information.  Certain categories of documents may be withheld under these laws, such as personnel records; student records; test and examinations used to evaluate student or employee performance; records relating to the security of students, staff and property; records protected from disclosure under the attorney-client or work-product privileges; the Superintendent’s working papers; closed session materials, etc.

Any request for official public records made under Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act or the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Act shall be directed and/or delivered to the Division’s FOIA Compliance Officer, who has been designated as such pursuant to Va. Code § 2.2-3704.1 (A) (2), as follows:

William Reid, III
FOIA Compliance Officer
Prince William County Public Schools
Post Office Box 389
Manassas, Virginia 20108

Such requests shall be dated, and shall specify with reasonable particularity the documents requested.  The requestor shall provide his or her name and legal address. 

Upon receipt of such a request to the FOIA compliance officer, the Division shall respond in writing within five (5) working days of the date such request was received.  If additional time is needed to respond to the
request, or if any of the requested records will be withheld under any FOIA exemption, or if an advance
deposit is required for costs associated with responding to the request, the requestor shall be so informed.  

This notice complies with the posting requirements of Va. Code § 2.2-3704.1.

All requests for documents are subject to charges and a deposit may be required. Charges are based
upon but not limited to the following:

• Professional staff time

• Clerical and secretarial staff time

• Computer time

• Copying/printing of materials