SPPI’s attorney, Matthew D. Hardin, will represent the Institute at our first hearing in our ongoing public records case against Mesa Public Schools (MPS) tomorrow, October 29, 2024. This hearing will include oral arguments from both sides and address MPS’s inadequate response to our public records request.
The only document provided by Mesa Public Schools thus far is a list containing fewer than 50 email addresses—remarkably small given that MPS serves a student population of over 60,000. This glaring discrepancy raises questions about the thoroughness of MPS’s record search and their transparency in meeting our request. Initially, MPS declined to comply with our request entirely, only providing this minimal response after we filed our lawsuit.
This hearing represents a significant step in ensuring transparency and accountability within public institutions. SPPI believes that public schools, as taxpayer-funded entities, are responsible for providing complete access to records that support parents’ ability to make informed decisions. Our case highlights the importance of organizations like SPPI in empowering parents to exercise their rights, especially when government bodies resist disclosing crucial information.
From a legal standpoint, MPS’s partial compliance only after litigation was initiated may suggest SPPI has already prevailed, underscoring our claim for damages.