Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
The Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, is a law that provides the public the right to request access to public records. It is the policy of Grand Rapids Public Schools that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding governmental decision-making, consistent with FOIA.
How to Submit a FOIA Request to the District
PerBoard Policy 2810-R, all individuals desiring to inspect or receive a copy of a public record shall make a written request to the FOIA Coordinator that describes the public record sufficiently to enable the FOIA Coordinator, or his/her designee, to identify and locate the public record. Thomas Cottle, Interim General Counsel, acts as the FOIA Coordinator for the district. All FOIA requests must be in writing and delivered to the FOIA Coordinator.
Send an Electronic Request
Send a Written Request by Fax:
Requests can be faxed to Legal Services at 616-819-2172.
Send a Written Request by Mail:
Requests can be sent to:
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Attention: Legal Services
1331 Martin Luther King Jr. Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
FOIA Fee Schedule
FOIA Fee Schedule
Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) may charge reasonable fees for labor costs associated with completing a FOIA request, reasonable fees to cover the cost of providing the requested documents in physical media, and reasonable fees to mail physical media responsive to the FOIA request.
GRPS shall charge fees according to the tables below. The information below may not include all the fees GRPS may charge in relation to completing a FOIA request. If a fee is not included in the tables below, the fee will be the lowest rate of the individual capable of performing the labor for labor fees and the actual cost incurred by GRPS for copying and mailing.
Labor Fees*:
| Administrative Assistant | $18.02 |
| Secretary | $18.02 |
| Accounts Payable | $22.91 |
| Payroll | $22.91 |
| Student Services | $23.13 |
| Security Communications Specialist | $24.24 |
| Executive Assistant | $28.14 |
| Communications Project Coordinator | $28.28 |
| Human Resources Generalist | $33.39 |
| Legal Support Services | $35.45 |
| Assistant Legal Counsel | $36.42 |
| IT Personnel | $38.61 |
| Business Office Specialist | $41.00 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $44.76 |
| Director | $46.02 |
| Student Information Services | $48.91 |
| Purchasing | $53.36 |
| Executive Director | $65.66 |
| *Hourly rate of lowest paid employee capable of performing task |
Copy Fees:
| 8.5" x 11" | $0.10** |
| 8.5" x 14" | $0.10** |
| 11" x 17" | $0.25** |
| Outsource Printing | Actual Cost |
| Compact Disk | Actual Cost |
| Flash Drive | Actual Cost |
| **Price per page |
Mailing Costs
| U.S. First Class Postage | Actual Cost |
| Oversized Packages | Actual Cost |
| Overnight or Rush Delivery | Actual Cost |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Public Record?
Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231, et seq., a Public Record is “a writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body in the performance of an official function from the time it is created.”
Can Some Records be Withheld?
Yes, FOIA exempts several types of records from disclosure, including but not limited to records related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices, records with information prohibited from disclosure by other laws, trade secrets, records protected by attorney-client privilege, attorney work-products, etc. For a full list, see MCL 15.243.
How Much Time Does the District Have to Respond?
The District has five (5) business days after it receives a FOIA request to respond. For requests that are sent via e-mail or other electronic means, the District is deemed to have received the request the day after it is sent. For mailed requests, the District may also send a notice of extension for up to an additional 10 business days for a total of 15 business days. MCL 15.235(1), (2).
Can I Inspect a Public Record in Person?
Yes, under FOIA, a Public Body shall furnish reasonable facilities during usual business hours for the purpose of allowing requesters to inspect records and take notes. MCL 15.233(3).
Is there a Fees for Requesting Documents?
A Public Body may charge a fee for a public record search, but it must be limited to actual mailing costs; actual incremental cost of duplication or publication, including labor; or the cost of the search, examination, review, deletion of information, and separation of exempt from nonexempt information. The statute sets limitations on how much can be charged in MCL 15.234.
