Open Records

 

OPEN RECORDS REQUEST PROCEDURES

 

The following are proper procedures for requesting records from The Altoona Area School District under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. §§ 66.1 et seq.

 

(Note: Requests for student records are covered under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and should be addressed to the appropriate building principal and/or the Special Education Director. Requests for AAHS Transcripts, click here.)

1. All requests for records must be in writing and signed by the requester. The request should be submitted using the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records Universal Office of Open Records Form.
2. All requests for records shall be addressed as follows:
   Dr. Charles A. Prijatelj, AASD Superintendent
   Altoona Area School District 
   1201 8th Avenue
   Altoona, PA 16602
   Email: [email protected]
3. All requests shall be in writing and shall be sent to the Altoona Area School District:  
   
   
1. Mail form to: 
      Altoona Area School District
      Attn: Dr. Charles A. Prijatelj
      1201 8th Avenue
      Altoona, Pa 16602
2. Fax form to:
      (814) 946-8226
      Attn: Dr. Charles A. Prijatelj, AASD Superintendent
3. E-mail form to:
      [email protected]
      Subject: Open Records Request
4. Deliver form in person during regular business hours of the Altoona Area School District: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except holidays and official office closings at:
      Altoona Area School District
      1201 8th Avenue
      Altoona, PA 16602

Postage Fees:	Actual Cost
Photocopies:	Twenty-five (25) Cents per Page
Specialized Documents:	Actual Cost
Certification of Records:	One (1) Dollar per Record (excluding notarization fees)
Conversion to Paper	If a record is only maintained electronically or in other non-paper media, duplication fees shall be limited to the lesser of the fee for duplication on paper or the fee for duplication in the original media unless the requester specifically requests for the record to be duplicated in the more expensive medium
Facsimile/Microfiche/Other	Actual Cost

A photocopy is either a single-sided copy or one side of a double-sided copy of a standard 8.5” x 11” page.  The Altoona Area School District may require a requester to prepay an estimate of the fees listed, if the fees required to fulfill the request are expected to exceed $100. All costs must be paid by certified check or money order made payable to the Altoona Area School District.

If a request is denied in whole or in part by the Altoona Area School District, an appeal can be filed.  All appeals must be made in writing and sent to: 
                        
Office of Open Records
333 Market Street 

16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333

 

Any appeal must be submitted within 15 business days of the mailing date of the Altoona Area School District’s  response or within 15 business days of a deemed denial.  The appeal shall state the ground upon which the requester asserts that the record is a public record, legislative record or financial record and shall address any ground stated by an agency for delaying or denying the request. 

 

An identical copy of the appeal must also be submitted to the Altoona Area School District Open Records Officer.

 

A person other than the Altoona Area School District or requester, with a direct interest in the record subject to an appeal under this section (Section 1101), may file a written request to provide information or to appear before the appeals officer in support of the requester’s or Altoona Area school District’s position.  This request must be made within 15 days following receipt of actual knowledge of the appeal but no later than the date the appeals officer issues an order.

 

Further information with regard to the appeals process can be found at the Office of Open Records website.

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