Open records controversy touches the Kahlil Gibran International Academy

The Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has noted to the press that a freedom of information request it filed in July under New York’s open records law has not yet been met with the documents it wants from the new Kahlil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn.

The school has been controversial to some. To others, the controversy is itself controversial.

Many blogs have something to say about it.

The Thomas More Center has announced it:

…“will continue to use the courts to get information” and will monitor the school “to ensure that it comports with state and federal law.”

The only contribution I have to make to this controversy is:

Certainly, books, curriculum materials, and so on, should be made public

It isn’t uncommon for New York public schools to take awhile to fulfill public records requests.

That’s not good, but it doesn’t mean they’re trying to hide something.

Nevertheless, as always, if you don’t fulfill public records requests, it is natural for people to wonder if you are trying to hide something.

Update: The blog Stop the Madrassa notes that some documents have been released under the Freedom of Information request, including including this.  Not a smoking gun, I’d say.