Washington's law requires state and local agencies to make public records available to the public. This law, the Washington State Public Records Act RCW 42.56, supports the public's right to be informed about what their government is doing. 

Permissible exemptions from disclosure include documents that invade an individual's right to privacy (e.g., privacy in certain personnel, medical, or student records) or hinder the government's need to perform its assigned functions in a reasonably efficient manner (e.g., maintaining confidentiality of investigative records, official information, records related to pending litigation, and preliminary notes or memoranda).  These exemptions are intended to prevent unreasonable invasions of personal privacy or the use of public records for personal or commercial gain.  

The act also requires that the public records requested are "identifiable." Your public records disclosure request must include a reasonable description that would allow a North Thurston Public Schools employee to locate the records. A general question is not a public disclosure request. 

We utilize an online system for public records requests.

Please visit: https://norththurstonpublicschools.nextrequest.com/ to get started.

Within five (5) business days of receipt of the request, the public records officer will do one or more of the following:

1. Acknowledge receipt of request and provide a reasonable estimate of when records will be available; or 
   
2. Make the records available for inspection or copying; or 
   
3. Seek clarification of request if needed; or 
   
4. Deny the request.

Additional time may be required to respond to a request due to the need for clarification of the request, to locate and assemble the information requested, to notify third parties or agencies affected by the request, or to determine if the record requested qualifies for an exemption. You will be informed if additional time is needed.

If you have questions about a public records request, please contact the public records officer at publicrecords@nthurston.k12.wa.us.