Illinois school district denies request for electronic phone bill
The New Lenox School District in Illinois denied a newspaper's request to see phone records, saying they haven't looked at the detailed list posted online at AT&T's Web site, and therefore the district does not possess the records and doesn't have to give them out. This is a wacky use of a "technicality." In many states, the public records laws apply to documents used, maintained or possessed by a public agency. This school district is saying that the phone call list is on the phone company's Web site, so the district doesn't possess the records. The district also said it doesn't check the phone records, essentially saying they don't monitor their own calling to check for fraud or improper use. On both accounts, this school district gets an F in transparency and public accountability. See
story.