Press Release  AG Campbell Files Public Records Enforcement Action Against Mystic Valley Regional Charter School

BOSTON — Today, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell filed legal action against Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (MVRCS) in Malden to enforce compliance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law.  

The Public Records Law is intended to ensure that the public has broad access to government records. Access to records is essential to promoting transparency and public confidence in government, particularly with respect to matters involving public entities and public agents. 

Between January 2022 and November 2022, MVRCS received at least ten public records requests, and declined to provide the requested records, claiming that it is exempt from the Public Records Law because, according to MVRCS, a charter school does not fall under the category of entities handling public documents. 

After MVRCS refused to comply with several orders issued by the Supervisor of Records, the Supervisor referred the matter to the Attorney General to ensure compliance. 

By bringing this action, the Attorney General seeks a declaration that MVRCS is a custodian of public records subject to the Public Records Law, and that it must respond to public records requests. 

The suit is being handled by the Division of Open Government, which has enforcement authority over the Open Meeting Law and the Public Records Law. 

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