On the one hand, the public has a right to know how public schools act, meaning that schools have a duty to be transparent. On the other hand, students have special rights to privacy enshrined in both state and federal law.
Category: Opinion
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Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Record delays are contrary to the law
It’s a problem that has grown markedly worse in recent years, as agencies have gotten bolder in exploiting the lack of specificity in the state’s open records law regarding the question of “How long is too long?”
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Records case a win for public accountability
When Madison Metropolitan School District communications director Tim LeMonds sued his employer in March to block release of a complaint against him, he claimed there would be grave repercussions if the public were allowed to see the allegations it contained.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Bill to fix records problem deserves support
Recently, Wisconsin Watch revealed how members of the Wisconsin Legislature’s powerful budget committee secretly hold up projects or programs they don’t like.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: End Wisconsin’s secretive ‘pocket veto’
Recently, Wisconsin Watch revealed how members of the Wisconsin Legislature’s powerful budget committee secretly hold up projects or programs they don’t like.
Posted inNews & Announcements, Opinion
Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council names ‘Opee’ winners
A group of residents concerned about the impact of a local park redevelopment, a school board member who blew the whistle on his colleagues, and a longtime city official who has made a habit of accessibility are among the winners in this year’s Openness Awards bestowed by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Wisconsin taxpayers still paying for election fraud probe records fights
Many people in Wisconsin are under the impression that the disastrous probe into the state’s 2020 presidential election conducted by former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman is over, as are its costs to taxpayers. They’re wrong.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Here’s to a more transparent 2023
Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council vice president Christa Westerberg says all levels of government in Wisconsin should be more transparent and open in 2023.
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: Prison’s holiday card market
Loved ones get greeting cards, not our time, during holidays
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Prehn records fight seeks accountability
More than a year and a half after the expiration of his term, Dr. Frederick Prehn continues to occupy a seat on the Natural Resources Board, which sets policy for the state Department of Natural Resources.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Don’t pay too much for that photocopy!
If you request paper records and a government custodian tries to charge you 25 cents per page, push back.
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: Absentee ballots don’t give enough space for witness address
Frank Lowry writes that absentee ballots do not provide enough room for the witness to record their complete address.