Employee complaints are not a matter of public record, district officials said. But once a complaint materializes into an arrest or criminal charge, the school system must report how long a person was employed in the district and at what schools.
Date posted: June 7, 2010
User-contributed question by:
Julie
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North Carolina Law (N.C.G.S. 132) governs what is considered a “public record.” In part…
§ 132‑1. “Public records” defined.
(a) “Public record” or “public records” shall mean all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data‑processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions. Agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions shall mean and include every public office, public officer or official (State or local, elected or appointed), institution, board, commission, bureau, council, department, authority or other unit of government of the State or of any county, unit, special district or other political subdivision of government.
(b) The public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people. Therefore, it is the policy of this State that the people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost unless otherwise specifically provided by law. As used herein, “minimal cost” shall mean the actual cost of reproducing the public record or public information. (1935, c. 265, s. 1; 1975, c. 787, s. 1; 1995, c. 388, s. 1.)
Citizens can submit a public records request to review public records at a location where the agency stores the records for public review. A citizen can also request copies of public records.
There are restrictions as to what will be turned over to citizens and what will be allowed to be viewed–social security numbers are supposed to be protected and kept private, etc.
However, paperwork filed (perhaps complaints) may be “public records,” and I would advise the interested party to submit a public records request (they can Yahoo, Bing, or Google “North Carolina Public Records Request” and find some information-or they could call an attorney).
Thanks!