Data Request on GSA Clubs in Valley View Middle, Kennedy, and Jefferson Submitted Nov 02, 2022

This is the Jefferson request. A separate request for Kennedy and Valley View were made.

Data Request was initiated on November 02, 2022.

Requesters Name and Address

Bloomington, MN 55438

November 02, 2022

ISD 271

Bloomington Public Schools

1350 West 106th Street

Bloomington, MN 55431

Dear School Board Clerk:

Under the Minnesota Data Practices Act § 13.01 et seq., I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of public records that pertain to after school clubs and meetings held on school district property.

Specifically, I am requesting to inspect copies to be emailed so as not to incur any costs for the following:

1. All data and email communication from and between Jack Lofgren, Jaysen Anderson, and any additional staff on all matters relating to the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA hereafter) after school club held at Jefferson High School, to including Gender and Sexuality Alliance club and it’s advisors, GSA Advisors and any other sexual, gender or sexuality related topics. “

2. I am requesting all data that documents when GSA meetings were held and how many participates attended each meeting during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendar years.

3. I am requesting all data on individuals that initiated the GSA meetings held during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendar years.

4. I am requesting all data collected in said meetings, including the principal, Jaysen Anderson, on building log information and application information related to the GSA for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendar years.

5. I am requesting all data documented, including information held by the principal, Jaysen

Anderson, on observations, sit-ins, and information collected on the appointed supervisory positions/supervision of the GSA club/groups.

6. All data and email communication from and between Jack Lofgren, Jaysen Anderson, and any additional staff with the official GSA National Network.

For purposes of this request:

1. "Data" includes data points within documents or entire documents themselves, as the Minnesota Supreme Court has defined it. KSTP-TV v. Ramsey County, 806 N.W.2d 785, 789-90 (Minn.2011). If you believe that "documents" include "data" that are not subject to production under Chapter 13, please redact the nonpublic data points within the document and produce the remainder without redaction.

2. "Data" also means the broadest interpretation of the term under Chapter 13, and includes but is not limited to: any written, electronic, or recorded letters, emails, text messages, notes, reports, meeting minutes, audio or video recordings, etc.

If there are any fees for searching or copying these records, please inform me if the cost will exceed $25.00. However, I would also like to request a waiver of all fees in that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of how school policies are being enforced for the safety of all students. This information is not being sought for commercial purposes.

I request a prompt response to this request. If you expect a significant delay in responding to or in fulfilling this request, please contact me with information about when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.

If you determine that you will redact or deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Requesters Name

District Response was given on  4-26-23

Valley View Middle Information:

• I am requesting all data that documents when GSA meetings were held and how many participants attended each meeting during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendar years.
  • VVM GSA meetings are held on Wednesdays from 2:45-3:45 in room 211, About 15-25 students attend each week.

• I am requesting all data on individuals that initiated the GSA meetings held during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendar years.
  • Activities meeting schedules are coordinated by activities leaders (students) per Policy 510 and may be communicated by students and advisors.

• I am requesting all data collected in said meetings, including the principal, Megan Willrett, on building log information and application information related to the GSA for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendar years.
  • Student clubs do not have an annual application, are ongoing from year to year. Valley View Middle School GSA club started prior to 20-21 school year. We do not have record of the initial application.
  • From Principal Willret: There is no agenda for these meetings. Topics are driven by students each week.

• I am requesting all data documented, including information held by the principal, Megan Willrett, on observations, sit-ins, and information collected on the appointed supervisory positions/supervision of the GSA club/groups.
  • From Principal Willret: I have not observed this club formally.

Jefferson High School Information:

• I am requesting all data that documents when GSA meetings were held and how many participants attended each meeting during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendar years.
  • JHS GSA meetings are held typically during Academic Seminar Club time, approximately 1 meeting per month.

• I am requesting all data on individuals that initiated the GSA meetings held during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendar years.
  • Activities meeting schedules are coordinated by activities leaders (students) per Policy 510 and may be communicated by students and advisors. Student names are anonymized for data privacy reasons.

• I am requesting all data collected in said meetings, including the principal, Jaysen Anderson, on building log information and application information related to the GSA for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendar years.
  • From Principal Anderson: Meeting logs or agendas are not kept to my knowledge, much less not shared with me. Clubs do “apply” to initially form but club existence and membership changes year to year depending on student interest/need to this these logistics vary. Club application processes can be found on our website. Club application processes are driven through the office of the Activities Director -

https://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/jhs/activities-and-athletics/activities

• I am requesting all data documented, including information held by the principal, Jaysen Anderson, on observations, sit-ins, and information collected on the appointed supervisory positions/supervision of the GSA club/groups.
  • From Principal Anderson: There is no formal observation of clubs, I will walk the building and sometimes “stumble upon” a club incidentally but no notes are taken or records kept or conversations had with supervisors. I have no recollection or notes of “stumbling upon” the GSA club in action. Clubs, Processes, and lists can be found on the JHS website at https://www.bloomington.k12.mn.us/jhs/activities-and-athletics/activities

Kennedy High School Information:

• I am requesting all data that documents when GSA meetings were held and how many participants attended each meeting during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendar years.
  • 2021-22: Mondays from 2:45-3:45; approximately10 students attended
  • 2022-23: Tuesdays from 2:45-3:45; approximately 10 students attend

• I am requesting all data on individuals that initiated the GSA meetings held during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendar years.
  • Activities meeting schedules are coordinated by activities leaders (students) per Policy 510 and may be communicated by students and advisors. Student names are anonymized for data privacy reasons.

• I am requesting all data collected in said meetings, including information held by the principal, Molly Hollenbeck, on building log information and application information related to the GSA for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school calendar years.
  • Application occurred years ago, prior to this principal and AD
  • No data collected in meetings

• I am requesting all data documented, including information held by the principal, Molly Hollenbeck, on observations, sit-ins, and information collected on the appointed supervisory positions/supervision of the GSA club/groups.
• No observations or sit-ins have been conducted by Principal