Date:
10/18/2018
Subject:
James Coppoc/Ames Community School District - Dismissal Order
Opinion:
The Iowa Public Information Board
|
In re the Matter of: James Coppoc, Complainant And Concerning: Ames Community School District, Respondent |
Case Number: 18FC:0071 Dismissal Order |
COMES NOW Margaret E. Johnson, Executive Director for the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), and enters this Dismissal Order.
James Coppoc filed formal complaint 18FC:0071 on August 17, 2018, alleging that the Ames Community School District (District) violated Iowa Code chapter 22.
Mr. Coppoc claimed that he filed an open records request on June 29, 2018, requesting:
1. A list of educational assistants eligible for reappointment,
2. The names of all persons who received “reasonable assurance of reappointment” documents at a District school,
3. Written records of all educational assistants eligible for reappointment, and
4. District policies for reappointment of educational assistants.
The District responded to his request on July 17, 2018, providing numbers (1), (2), and (3). The District stated there is no formal policy that would respond to number (4). In addition, the District provided a video of the June 18, 2018, board of education meeting and the minutes of that meeting.
The District also provided a June 15, 2018, email that it claimed showed he was offered an assurance of reappointment on June 14, 2018.
On July 24, 2018, the District sent Mr. Coppoc a letter offering him continued employment with the District with a letter of acceptance for his signature. Mr. Coppoc stated that he did not receive this.
Mr. Coppoc questioned why the District did not provide a copy of a confirmation of employment from a certain individual. The District responded that the named individual did not accept the employment so there was no record to release.
Mr. Coppoc also raised issues concerning an Iowa Workforce Development hearing that is mentioned in his other complaint, 18FC:0070. That matter does not fall within the jurisdiction of the IPIB as its relates to an appeal of an administrative law decision as noted in the dismissal order for 18FC:0070.
The District released the requested information, except for number (4), which does not exist. Other District policies are available on the District’s website.
Iowa Code section 23.8 requires that a complaint be within the IPIB’s jurisdiction, appear legally sufficient, and could have merit before the IPIB accepts a complaint. This complaint does not meet all of those requirements.
IT IS SO ORDERED: Formal complaint 18FC:0071 is dismissed as legally insufficient pursuant to Iowa Code section 23.8(2) and Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(2)(b).
Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(3), the IPIB may “delegate acceptance or dismissal of a complaint to the executive director, subject to review by the board.” The IPIB will review this Order on October 18, 2018. Pursuant to IPIB rule 497-2.1(4), the parties will be notified in writing of its decision.
By the IPIB Executive Director
_________________________________
Margaret E. Johnson, J.D.
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
This document was sent by electronic mail on the ___ day of October, 2018, to:
James Coppoc
Aaron Hilligas, counsel for the Ames Community School District