Open Government Group Demands Public Records Regarding Albuquerque Schools Chief Investigation

The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, FOG, today filed an Inspection of Public Records Act request asking for the investigation report prepared for the Albuquerque Public School Board about former Superintendent Winston Brooks. Last Friday, Brooks and APS entered into a settlement agreement in which Brooks resigned in return for a $350,000 payment by APS.

"The public deserves to know the circumstances of Brooks' resignation and why public money is being spent to end his employment two years before his contract termination date," said Kathi Bearden, president of FOG.

Although the settlement agreement was released, APS has refused to release the investigation report that was prepared by attorney Agnes Padilla of Butt, Thornton & Baehr, P.C. for the school board, or provide any information about the content of the report. "The investigation report is a public document and needs to be released," Ms. Bearden said. "No one has seen the report, but we assume it is mainly a factual account, not opinion, and therefore not protected by the limited personnel exemption under IPRA." Continue>>>
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