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Procedures for Submission of Public Information Requests to Aldine ISD

Aldine ISD’s Legal Department is responsible for ensuring that the Texas Public Information Act is followed at the District and will work with members of the public to help provide public information.

  1. Written requests for information should be addressed to the Aldine ISD Public Information Office:
      • By U.S. mail: 2520 W.W. Thorne Dr., Houston, Texas 77073
      • By email: [email protected]
      • By fax: 281.985.6321
      • In person at: 2520 W.W. Thorne Blvd., Houston, Texas 77073
  2. Written requests for information must contain a clear description of the types of information sought and provide the manner in which the requestor would like to receive the information sought.
  3. The Office of the Attorney General establishes costs for various components of materials and labor associated with the governmental entity’s response to requests for public information. Invoices will be issued to the requestor as allowable under the Public Information Act.
  4. All government information is presumed to be available to the public. Certain exceptions apply. Public information will be separated from information that may be withheld. Upon receipt of payment, the public information requested will be released as outlined in the Public Information Act.

If you would like to use a form to submit a PIA request, then you may use this form provided by the Texas Attorney General of Texas.

PIA Request Form

Questions

To reach the Aldine ISD Public Information Office, please contact us by telephone at 281.985.6319 or send an email to [email protected].

More Information About The Public Information Act

The Texas Public Information Act (the “Public Information Act” or the “Act”) gives the public the right to request access to government information. Below is a description of the basic procedures, rights and responsibilities under the Act.

Making a Request

The Act is triggered when a person submits a written request to a governmental body. The request must ask for records or information already in existence. The Act does not require a governmental body to create new information, to do legal research, or to answer questions. In preparing a request, a person may want to ask the governmental body what information is available.

Charges to the Requestor

A person may ask to view the information, get copies of the information, or both. If a request is for copies of information or information that is not readily available, then the governmental body may charge for the copies. If a request is only for an opportunity to inspect information, then usually the governmental body may not impose a charge on the requestor. However, under certain circumstances a governmental body may impose a charge for access to information. All charges imposed by a governmental body for copies or for access to information must comply with the rules prescribed by the Texas Attorney General, unless another statute authorizes an agency to set its own charges.

Exceptions to the Act

Although the Act makes most government information available to the public, some exceptions exist. If an exception might apply and the governmental body wishes to withhold the information, the governmental body generally must, within ten business days of receiving the open records request, refer the matter to the Texas Attorney General for a ruling on whether an exception applies. If the Texas Attorney General rules that an exception applies, the governmental body will not release the information. If a governmental body improperly fails to release information, the Act authorizes the requestor or the Texas Attorney General to file a civil lawsuit to compel the governmental body to release the information.

Rights of Requestors

All people who request public information have the right to:

  • Receive treatment equal to all other requestors
  • Receive a statement of estimated charges in advance
  • Choose whether to inspect the requested information, receive a copy of the information, or both
  • Be notified when the governmental body asks the Texas Attorney General for a ruling on whether the information may or must be withheld
  • Be copied on the governmental body’s written comments to the Texas Attorney General stating the reason why the stated exceptions apply
  • Lodge a complaint with the Texas Attorney General cost rules administrator regarding any improper charges for responding to a public information request
  • Lodge a complaint with the Texas Attorney General Hotline or the county attorney or criminal district attorney, as appropriate, regarding any alleged violation of the Public Information Act

Responsibilities of Requestors

All people who request public information have the responsibility to:

  • Submit a written request according to a governmental body’s reasonable procedures
  • Include enough description and detail of the requested information so that the governmental body can accurately identify and locate the requested items
  • Cooperate with the governmental body’s reasonable requests to clarify the type or amount of information requested
  • Respond promptly in writing to all written communications from the governmental body (including any written estimate of charges)
  • Make a timely payment for all valid charges
  • Keep all appointments for inspection of records or for pick-up of copies

Rights of Governmental Bodies

Governmental bodies responding to information requests have the right to:

  • Establish reasonable procedures for inspecting or copying information
  • Request and receive clarification of vague or overly broad requests
  • Request a Texas Attorney General ruling regarding whether any information may or must be withheld
  • Receive timely payment for all copy charges or other charges
  • Obtain payment of overdue balances exceeding $100 or obtain a security deposit before processing additional requests from the same requestor
  • Request a bond, prepayment or deposit if estimated costs exceed $100 (or, if the governmental body has fewer than 16 employees, $50)

Responsibilities of Governmental Bodies

Governmental bodies responding to information requests have the responsibility to:

  • Treat all requestors equally
  • Go through open records training as required by law
  • Be informed of open records laws and educate employees on the requirements of those laws
  • Inform the requestor of cost estimates and any changes in the estimates
  • Confirm that the requestor agrees to pay the costs before incurring the costs
  • Provide requested information promptly
  • Inform the requestor if the information will not be provided within ten business days and give an estimated date on which it will be provided
  • Cooperate with the requestor to schedule reasonable times for inspecting or copying information
  • Follow attorney general regulations on charges; do not overcharge on any items; do not bill for items that must be provided without charge
  • Inform third parties if their proprietary information is being requested from the governmental body
  • Inform the requestor when the Texas Attorney General has been asked to rule on whether information may or must be withheld
  • Copy the requestor on written comments submitted to the Texas Attorney General stating the reason why the stated exceptions apply
  • Comply with any Texas Attorney General ruling on whether an exception applies or file suit against the Texas Attorney General within 30 days
  • Respond in writing to all written communications from the Texas Attorney General regarding complaints about violations of the Act

Federal Agencies

The Act does not apply to the federal government or to any of its departments or agencies. If you are seeking information from the federal government, the appropriate law is the federal Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”). That law’s rules and procedures are different from those of the Public Information Act.

How to Contact Texas Attorney General

To reach the Texas Attorney General’s Open Government Hotline, call toll free 877.673.6839 (877-OPEN TEX). Hotline staff can answer questions about the proper procedures for using and complying with the Act and can assist both governmental bodies and people requesting information from a governmental body.

Hotline staff also reviews written complaints about alleged violations of the Act. If a complaint relates to charges, contact the Texas Attorney General Cost Rules Administrator toll free at 888.672.6787 (888-ORCOSTS) or forward a written complaint. Certain violations of the Act may involve possible criminal penalties. Those violations must be reported to the county attorney or criminal district attorney.

Information Provided By Texas Attorney General’s Website

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