Amid an uptick in inquiries from outside groups, Gardiner-area schools make information requests public.

By Emily Dugan, Kennebec Journal, November 16, 2024

Public records requests posted to the Gardiner school's website show requests are being made by people and organizations outside of the district. 

Maine School Administrative District 11 is now placing all public record requests online, as officials aim to cut down on the amount of time spent responding to such requests, which are now coming mainly from right-of-center groups from outside the district.  

Superintendent Patricia Hopkins told the Gardiner-area school board last week that the decision was made so members of the public could see the types of requests that have been made and determine if their question has already been answered.  

Several school districts across the state, including MSAD 11, have faced an uptick in public record requests made by right-leaning political groups under the state’s Freedom of Access Act on topics and policies relating to gender identity, sexuality and sexual orientation. Though the requests are public information, schools rarely post them online. 

By doing so, the district hopes to cut back on duplicative requests.