Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Inquiries

Virginia Freedom of Information Act

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) is the state law governing access by citizens of Virginia, and representatives of the media, to public records and to meetings of public bodies, as defined in the act. VFOIA provides that, with some specific exemptions and exceptions, all meetings of public bodies shall be open to the public and public records open for public inspection. All public meetings and records are presumed open unless an exemption is properly invoked.

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) complies with the state's Freedom of Information Act.

Making a VFOIA Request

It is recommended, though not required, that VFOIA requests be made in writing. Requests can be made in person, by phone, by mail, or electronically.

Requests can be submitted online

VFOIA requires that a request for public records must identify the requested records as specifically as possible. All requests should include the legal name, street address, email address and daytime telephone number of the requester.

Members of the public making a request under VFOIA may contact:

Elizabeth Hoover, Ph.D.
Chief Technology Officer
Alexandria City Public Schools
1340 Braddock Place
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-619-8005
elizabeth.hoover@acps.k12.va.us

Fulfilling VFOIA Requests

VFOIA only requires ACPS to produce documents which exist. VFOIA does not require ACPS to create a document or provide information that is not in any existing document.

Alexandria City Public Schools will reply to any VFOIA request within 5 business days. The first business day after the request is received is considered the first day.

Charges

A cost estimate will be provided to the requestor when appropriate or if requested.

All requests for documents that require more than 15 minutes of staff time to compile are subject to charges. Charges are based upon the following rates (subject to change):

• Data system searches (i.e. e-mail, student information system): $50 per hour
• Professional staff time: $30 per hour
• Clerical and secretarial staff time: $18 per hour
• Photocopying: .12 cents per page
• Formatting expenses will vary and will be charged accordingly

When the cost of the staff time to gather and process the requested documents is estimated to exceed $200, the requestor will be notified in advance and asked whether they want to proceed with the request. Any requests that carry estimated costs of more than $200 must be paid in advance.

All checks are to be made payable to Alexandria City Public Schools.

Learn More About VFOIA

More information about the Virginia FOIA can be found through the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council.