Austin Court of Appeals holds junior college could not withhold school transcripts of two employees under the Texas Public Information Act
Del Mar College District v Ken Paxton, 03-19-00094-CV (Tex. App. – Austin, July 1, 2020)
This is a Texas Public Information Act (“PIA”) case where the Austin Court of Appeals affirmed an order requiring the release of certain information possessed by the college district.
The Del Mar College District (“District”), a junior college district, received a request for the personnel files of two professors. The files contained their college transcripts. The District timely requested an opinion from the Attorney General’s office. The AG opined certain information could be withheld, but determined other information must be released, including the college transcripts. The District filed suit against the AG and the trial court heard opposing summary judgment motions. The trial court granted the AG’s motion and ordered the release of the transcripts. The District appealed.
The court listed a narrow legal question – was the junior college a “public school” for purposes of the PIA exception under §552.102(b)(which exempts such transcripts). The court held the proper inquiry was into the meaning of the phrase “public school,” which has its own generally accepted meaning, referring to the elementary and secondary educational system funded by the state. Junior colleges, in contrast, are part of the higher education system and charge tuition to their students. See Tex. Educ. Code § 130.084(b). “Public Education,” governs the State’s free elementary and secondary schools, while “Higher Education,” governs the State’s university and college system. The court acknowledged that junior colleges have been held to be integral to the Texas education system and could be a public school for other purposes, but noted it was not a “free” public school. Section 552.102(b) is part of the Public Information Act, not the Education Code, and is not part of the “general law governing the establishment, management, and control of independent school districts.” So, while the District is a public entity and a school subject to the PIA, it is not a “public school” for purposes of Section 552.102(b). As a result, the college transcripts must be released.
If you would like to read this opinion click here. Panel consists of Chief Justice Rose, Justices Triana and Smith. Opinion by Chief Justice Rose.
