Public Information Request
Under Texas law and Galveston Independent School Board Policies, the Officer for Public Information will make public information available for inspection and copying as governed by Texas Government Code 552 (the Texas Public Information Act) and 20 U.S.C. 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99 (the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA).
If you have any questions, please direct them to the Galveston ISD Public Information Officer at Publicinformation@gisd.org
To request information from this governmental body, use one of the following methods:
- In Person
- GISD Support Center, 3904 Ave T, Galveston, Texas 77550
Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (closed on Fridays in June and July.)
- By Mail
- Send the Request to:
- Galveston ISD Office of Communications
- Public Information Request
- PO Box 660
- Galveston, Texas 77553
- Electronic Form
- Fill out the form below for all digital request
What is considered Public Information?
Visit the Attorney General’s Public Information Handbook for detailed information.
THIS SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON A STRICTLY "AS IS" BASIS.
Fees for Public Information Requests
In accordance with the Texas Public Information Act, GISD assesses charges to cover the costs of responding to public information requests. These fees ensure that district resources—staff time, materials, and operational expenses—are used efficiently while maintaining transparency and accessibility of public records.
As part of our commitment to maximizing resources and "Raising the Grade," GISD prioritizes fiscal responsibility and operational excellence. By appropriately allocating costs associated with fulfilling public records requests, we safeguard our ability to invest in student achievement, instructional programs, and facility enhancements that directly benefit our schools and community.
The charges outlined below are determined by the nature and volume of the information requested and are in alignment with state guidelines to ensure fairness and accountability.
- Standard Paper Copies: $0.10 per page
- Non-Standard Copies:
- USB: $3 each
- Oversized Paper Copies (e.g., 11" x 17"): $0.50 per page
- Labor Charges:
- For requests exceeding 50 pages of single-sided standard paper copies or requiring extensive retrieval efforts, a labor charge of $15 per hour will be applied. This charge covers the time spent locating, compiling, and reproducing the requested information.
- If programming or data manipulation is necessary to process the request, a charge of $28.50 per hour will be assessed
- Overhead Charges:
- An overhead charge amounting to 20% of the applicable labor charge will be added to cover costs such as utilities and administrative expenses.
- Remote Document Retrieval:
- If the requested information is stored at a remote facility, the actual cost incurred to retrieve the records will be charged and may cause a delay in providing the information to the requester.
- Miscellaneous Supplies:
- Any necessary supplies, such as labels or boxes, will be charged at actual cost.
- Postage and Shipping:
- If mailing is required, the actual cost of postage or shipping will be applied.
Cost Estimates and Deposits
If the estimated charges exceed $40, GISD will provide the requestor with a written itemized statement detailing the anticipated costs. The requestor must respond within 10 business days by accepting the charges, modifying the request, or indicating a desire to inspect the documents in person to avoid incurring copy charges. Failure to respond within this timeframe will result in the request being considered withdrawn.
For estimates exceeding $100 the district requires a bond, prepayment, or deposit before processing the request. This ensures that resources are efficiently utilized in fulfilling substantial requests.
All deposits and charges are non-refundable. Once we begin the process, we are fully committed, and we expect the same level of commitment from the requester.
Inspection of Records
Requestors have the option to inspect records in person at GISD offices. Generally, there is no charge for inspecting records unless the process requires extensive use of personnel time or resources, in which case a quote will be provided prior to the inspection. Additionally, we may limit the inspection time for digital access to the records. For example, a 30-day window may be provided to access the records via Google Drive. After this deadline, the link for the requester will be deactivated.
Complaints Regarding Overcharges
If a requester believes they have been overcharged, they may file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General. The complaint must be submitted within 10 business days after the requestor knows of the alleged overcharge.
Office of the Attorney General
Open Records Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, Texas 78711-2548