Requesting Public Records
What is a Public Record?
According to the Ohio Public Records Act, a “record” is any item that: Contains information stored on a fixed medium (such as paper, computer, file, etc.); Is created, received or sent under the jurisdiction of a public office; and Documents the organization, functions, policies, decision, procedures, operations or other activities of the office.
In order for an item to be a public record, it must be “kept” by the public office (CMSD). That does not mean that the item must be “required” to be maintained by the public office before it will be deemed a public record. Rather, the item must simply be the type of item typically and actually retained by the office in the ordinary course of its business in order to carry out its duties and functions. If not, then the item is not “kept” and the public office does not have an obligation to provide access to the item. It the item does not exist, the public office will not have the obligation to provide access to that item or create the item to respond to a request.
How To Request A Public Record from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District
To better handle your request, please print and complete the Public Records Request Form from the link below, and submit it to CMSD by fax, mail,or email. Please note: submission of the Public Records Request Form is not required in order to process a records request.
* For transcripts and/or copy of diploma, please contact Student Assignments at 523-7957.
By Fax
Fax the completed Public Records Request Form to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District's Strategic Communications Department at (216) 574-8416.
By Mail
Mail the completed Public Records Request Form to:
Strategic Communications – Public Records Request
Cleveland Metropolitan School District
1380 E. 6th Street
Cleveland, OH 44114
By Email
publicrecordsrequest@cmsdnet.net
Other
Ohio School Board Association - www.osba-ohio.org
126th General Assembly (PDF)
Subpoenas
Official Court ordered Subpoenas, contact:
James Mix at James.R.Mix@cmsdnet.net
Notice Regarding Court Ordered/Issued Subpoenas
Please do not contact the Strategic Communications Department for information regarding court ordered/issued subpoenas. If you do not believe you have the correct information necessary to issue your subpoena, please direct those concerns to the CMSD Law Department by contacting Mr. James Mix, paralegal by email at James.R.Mix@cmsdnet.net or by phone at 216-574-8492.
Please note that Mr. Mix is not the Custodian of Records for any CMSD department or school but can assist by providing correct contact information (such as school addresses, department or administrative record keepers, correct names & locations of potential witnesses, etc.)
District and School Report Cards
1995 to present
CMSD and other schools' data: Ohio Department of Education
Discipline- Reports on student discipline data.
Early Learning- Reports on preschool and kindergarten student assessments.
Enrollment- Reports related to student enrollment.
Graduation Rate- Reports related to high school graduation rates. Note: Graduation Rates on the Report Card are from the previous year so that a complete year's data can be used, including summer school data.
Miscellaneous- Reports that do not fit well into the other categories.
Mobility Rates- Reports describing student mobility between schools and districts.
Participation Rate- Reports on student participation rates in the state proficiency tests.
Performance Index- The performance index is a weighted average of all tested grades and subjects, with more weight given to higher performance levels. Comparing the performance index scores over time shows trends in school and district achievement.
Promotions- Reports on student grade level promotions.
Ratings- Reports on district and building ratings, annual yearly progress, and school improvement.
Revenue and Expenditures- Reports on revenue per pupil and expenditures per pupil. Note: The revenue and expenditure data for a school year is released in the October following that school year.
Student Attendance- Reports on student attendance rates.
Teacher Data- Reports related to teachers, including attendance rates, certifications, and classroom pupil/teacher ratios.
Test Results- Reports on the results of the state tests.
User Guide- Instructions on how to download the ILRC User's Guide.