A new cache of text messages shows former school board chair, superintendent among those instructing coordinator of school safety and security Marshall Keene on managing meeting.
Makes me wonder. When my children were athletes at RHS, I didn't text the principal, superintendent, athletic director, or supervisor of safety about what was going on when I was unhappy about an issue. I don't think I even mentioned my concern about the then football coach to the principal or AD. Does every athlete's parent have the # of the principal, superintendent, athletic director, and supervisor of safety or just the ones who are friends with Phelps and Taylor? Why would she need it? Looks like Phelps, Taylor, and Downs have some explaining to do. Looks like Phelps was in the weeds of the day to day operation of the school. That is NOT what a school board member is supposed to do.
What did Phelps think was going to happen? Why did she ask for Keene to be there? Did Guempel ask that question? Again a board member shouldn't be putting demands on staff, other than the superintendent.
Great investigative journalism, Adele. Thank you also for your “Just the facts, ma’am” reporting. Thanks also to Dawn Shelley for her contributions to the discussion. Her experience is invaluable.
I don’t want to jump to conclusions but it sure seems like there is something rotten in the county of Spotsylvania.
Public, official business conducted on personal electronic devices is still subject to FOIA. Using one's own cell phone to do official business does not exempt the material from FOIA review and production unless exempt from production for one of the reasons enumerated in the statute (e.g., a vendor's proprietary info).
The Virginia FOIA defines public records as:
“… all writings and recordings that consist of letters, words or numbers, or their equivalent, set down by handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostatting, photography, magnetic impulse, optical or magneto-optical form, mechanical or electronic recording or other form of data compilation, however stored, and regardless of physical form or characteristics, prepared or owned by, or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees or agents in the transaction of public business.”
Based on this language, text and SMS messages fall squarely within the definition of “public record” and are therefore subject to the disclosure requirements of the Virginia FOIA."
My, my.
Makes me wonder. When my children were athletes at RHS, I didn't text the principal, superintendent, athletic director, or supervisor of safety about what was going on when I was unhappy about an issue. I don't think I even mentioned my concern about the then football coach to the principal or AD. Does every athlete's parent have the # of the principal, superintendent, athletic director, and supervisor of safety or just the ones who are friends with Phelps and Taylor? Why would she need it? Looks like Phelps, Taylor, and Downs have some explaining to do. Looks like Phelps was in the weeds of the day to day operation of the school. That is NOT what a school board member is supposed to do.
What did Phelps think was going to happen? Why did she ask for Keene to be there? Did Guempel ask that question? Again a board member shouldn't be putting demands on staff, other than the superintendent.
The "parent" is a political operative. So far, the press is reluctant to reveal that.
Great investigative journalism, Adele. Thank you also for your “Just the facts, ma’am” reporting. Thanks also to Dawn Shelley for her contributions to the discussion. Her experience is invaluable.
I don’t want to jump to conclusions but it sure seems like there is something rotten in the county of Spotsylvania.
Public, official business conducted on personal electronic devices is still subject to FOIA. Using one's own cell phone to do official business does not exempt the material from FOIA review and production unless exempt from production for one of the reasons enumerated in the statute (e.g., a vendor's proprietary info).
The Virginia FOIA defines public records as:
“… all writings and recordings that consist of letters, words or numbers, or their equivalent, set down by handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostatting, photography, magnetic impulse, optical or magneto-optical form, mechanical or electronic recording or other form of data compilation, however stored, and regardless of physical form or characteristics, prepared or owned by, or in the possession of a public body or its officers, employees or agents in the transaction of public business.”
Based on this language, text and SMS messages fall squarely within the definition of “public record” and are therefore subject to the disclosure requirements of the Virginia FOIA."