Other (indicate in message) Submitted: February 17, 2023 | Updated: March 17, 2023

(February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23.

Hello Cleveland County, NC Schools (Records Officer),

I'd like to make a public records request for the following information under NC Public Records Law.
Ref: https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html

If such a record exists -- Please provide ALL electronic communications [Text Messages, Emails, Voicemails, etc.], sent to, sent from, or sent between the Superintendent of Cleveland County Schools, any and all Principals of Cleveland County Schools, any and all Administrative personnel, and any and all members of the Cleveland County School Board. During the time period of 01/02/2023 through 02/09/2023. Specifically, as relates to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence” at Cleveland County Schools.

I am explicitly asking that you DO NOT provide me with sensitive or personally identifying information about specific students and their data. Sunshine Request will not publish this type of information on their website.

Please Note: I am not requesting to come in person to inspect, nor to obtain printed copies of, electronic records. In accordance with NC Public Records Law I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive records be provided to me via an electronic medium / format (in which the copies of these records already exist). Such as an email, file share, google drive folder, mailed flash drive if necessary, etc.

**If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, please specifically cite where a reason for denial is justified under NC Public Records Law.**
--------

By Law I am not required to provide a name or address to associate with a public records request, but in order to move things along I’d like to clarify that this request is being made by:

Sunshine Request
PO Box 17391
Asheville, NC 28816

The request has been sent solely from the email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from our Team. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of our request – We intend to continue to pursue our request.

Please note that by submitting this request we are NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to any request. If it is not possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and explanations, and do not proceed until I can respond.

Thank you for your assistance!

Editor’s Note: Sunshine Request makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.

Editor’s Note 02/16/23: The submission above has been revised for clarity.

Please note:

Sunshine Request will not fulfill the following types of requests:

☀️ Requests that include profanity, personal statements, opinions, possibly defamatory statements, or other unnecessary info that is not relevant to making a records request.

Please do not include personal opinions and statements in the request’s Subject or Message. Please omit any extraneous statements that are not specific to the exact information you’d like to receive. This is not relevant information pertinent to the processing of a records request, and the request will not be published.

☀️ Requests that are incomplete, non-specific, or vague.

While we do proofread requests we receive for general spelling and clarity, we may choose not to fulfill the request if it is incomplete, or it is unclear what specific information the requester hopes to receive. In this case, the sender may rewrite and resubmit the request.

It’s the requester’s responsibility to write the request in a manner that clearly specifies a record that is being requested, and to what government entity it should be sent.

☀️ Requests for public safety information specific to a single individual, address, incident or name.

This includes police reports, calls for service, complaints / incident reports / citations, criminal / arrest type records, or camera footage. We will, on a case by case basis, fulfill public safety related requests that focus on system-level trends and data.

Due to the personal nature of this type of information, we recommend that the sender reach out directly to the appropriate entity for assistance with the request.

☀️ Please be specific:

It is important that what you are requesting is specific and reasonable, and is an actionable records request. Please specify the exact type of records you’d like to receive, rather than any “possible” or “potential” info that could be searched. Remember that the larger your request, the more time it usually takes to fulfill. Specificity will often help reduce the amount of time needed to process the request.

It is important that a request has a clearly written and complete Subject and Message, and also specifies the Government Entity (or entities), City and/or County, and State to which the request should be sent. If applicable, please also include any responsive timelines for the info that should be requested.

While we do proofread requests we receive for general spelling and clarity, we may choose not to fulfill the request if it is incomplete, or it is unclear what specific info the requester hopes to receive, or if it violates our policies.

Before submitting a request, please take a moment to review our tips for How to write and make a successful request. If you have additional questions about our site or how to make requests, please check out our FAQs or Policies page.

Thank you for using Sunshine Request!

Status: Government Processing Request

Activity:

  • March 17, 2023 1:39 pm

    1 week ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Greg Shull <[email protected]>
    date: Mar 17, 2023, 1:39 PM
    subject: Re: Records Request: (February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23.

     

    Good afternoon Greg,

     

    Happy Friday!

     

    I’m following up on my previous two emails to ask again if you can please to provide an anticipated timeline or date for completion of my public records request:
    (February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23.

     

    I’ve been receiving additional requests for similar information via my website. However, I have declined sending them to CCS until I can get resolution to the request above.

     

    I will follow up with you again in one week, if I have not heard anything else before then.

     

    Thanks for your help!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Follow up
  • March 8, 2023 4:37 pm

    2 weeks ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Greg Shull <[email protected]>
    date: Mar 8, 2023, 4:37 PM
    subject: Re: Records Request: (February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23.

     

    Hi Greg,

     

    I hope you’ve been well.

     

    I just wanted to check in again to ask if you’re able to provide an anticipated timeline or date of completion for my public records request:

    (February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23.

     

    I’ll plan to follow up again later in March, if I have not heard anything else before then.

     

    Thanks for your help!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Follow up
  • February 17, 2023 4:04 pm

    1 month ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Greg Shull <[email protected]>
    date: Feb 17, 2023, 4:04 PM
    subject: Re: Records Request: (February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23.

     

    Hi Greg,

     

    I appreciate your response.

     

    I believe you are saying that you have already forwarded along my new request [Subject: (February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23. ], and that I do not also need to fill out the records request form on Monday.

     

    If that is the case, then I will hold off. And I will follow up with you again around the end of the month, if I have not received any additional updates before then.

     

    In the future, if I send in any other records requests, then I will do so using the form link you’ve provided.

     

    Thanks for your help!

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • February 17, 2023 3:54 pm

    1 month ago

    from: Greg Shull <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    date: Feb 17, 2023, 3:54 PM
    subject: Re: Records Request: (February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23.

     

    You are absolutely correct about emailing records requests. We use the form to make sure multiple people are notified of such requests as a mechanism for fulfillment. Again, don’t feel obligated to complete any further actions. I have already forwarded your email along.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Greg Shull, Ed.D.

    Director of Communications, Cleveland County Schools

    (704) 476-8030 | (704) 975-7773 | [email protected]

    400 West Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28150

    Status: Government Processing Request
  • February 17, 2023 3:17 pm

    1 month ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Greg Shull <[email protected]>
    date: Feb 17, 2023, 3:17 PM
    subject: Re: Records Request: (February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23.

     

    Hi Greg,

     

    Correction to my previous message: We did use a form to submit a request in 2019. Although, I’m not sure what the URL was, or what fields were “required” back then.
    We did also communicate with you about the request via email at that time.

     

    The rest of my message today still stands. I’ll send in my request on Monday.

     

    Thanks for your help.

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Clarification Provided
  • February 17, 2023 3:14 pm

    1 month ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Greg Shull <[email protected]>
    date: Feb 17, 2023, 3:14 PM
    subject: Re: Records Request: (February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23.

     

    Hi Greg,

     

    Thanks for your reply.

     

    On January 20, 2020 you completed a records request sent to you from our email address [email protected]. We did not use a form to submit a request in that case. I understand that some time has passed since then and that CCS’ public records request process may have changed since 2020.

     

    I have now reviewed the form link you provided. I’d like it noted that by Law senders are not required to provide a name, address, reason, or other personally identifying information, in order to make a public records request. The form you’ve sent asks senders to fill out the following “required” fields:

     

    – Full name of person issuing the request for information
    – Residential address of person issuing the request
    – Email address of person issuing the request
    – Phone number of person issuing the request
    – A brief, specific description of the record requested

     

    I would like to suggest that CCS reviews their current records process and any forms to ensure you are processing all requests in accordance with NC Public Records Law. However, on Monday I will be glad to resubmit my exact same request again — using the link you’ve provided.

     

    As stated in my original request — By Law I am not required to provide a name or address to associate with a public records request, but in order to move things along I’d like to clarify that this request was / will be made by:

     

    Sunshine Request
    PO Box 17391
    Asheville, NC 28816

     

    Thank you.

     

    ~The Sunshine Request Team

    Status: Clarification Provided
  • February 17, 2023 2:18 pm

    1 month ago

    from: Greg Shull <[email protected]>
    to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    date: Feb 17, 2023, 2:18 PM
    subject: Re: Records Request: (February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23.

     

    Thank you for your interest in Cleveland County Schools. Please use this form to submit your request so it can be routed appropriately.

     

    https://docs.google.com/a/clevelandcountyschools.org/forms/d/17nL9p4Jwr1tXYSBLz5zcS6Yw8oWuMnt7W-21vkM6FTA/viewform?edit_requested=true

     

    Thanks,

     

    Greg Shull, Ed.D.

    Director of Communications, Cleveland County Schools

    (704) 476-8030 | (704) 975-7773 | [email protected]

    400 West Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28150

    Status: Response Received from Government
  • February 17, 2023 1:52 pm

    1 month ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: Greg Shull <[email protected]>
    date: Feb 17, 2023, 1:52 PM
    subject: Records Request: (February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23.

     

    Hello Cleveland County, NC Schools (Records Officer),

     

    I’d like to make a public records request for information that may be available in your office.

     

    If you’re not the appropriate party to contact about the request, please provide the correct name and email address of whom I should send it to.

     

    Please confirm receipt to let me know the request will begin processing, and if possible, please provide a rough estimate of when the request may be completed. I will plan on following up again around the end of the month if I have not heard back before then.

     

    Here are the details of the request:

     

    Subject: (February 2023) Request for Cleveland County, NC Schools: All electronic communications related to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence”. From 01/02/23 – 02/09/23.

     

    Message: “Hello Cleveland County, NC Schools (Records Officer),

     

    I’d like to make a public records request for the following information under NC Public Records Law.
    Ref: https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html

     

    If such a record exists — Please provide ALL electronic communications [Text Messages, Emails, Voicemails, etc.], sent to, sent from, or sent between the Superintendent of Cleveland County Schools, any and all Principals of Cleveland County Schools, any and all Administrative personnel, and any and all members of the Cleveland County School Board. During the time period of 01/02/2023 through 02/09/2023. Specifically, as relates to “bullies”, “bullying”, “fights”, or “violence” at Cleveland County Schools.

     

    I am explicitly asking that you DO NOT provide me with sensitive or personally identifying information about specific students and their data. Sunshine Request will not publish this type of information on their website.

     

    Please Note: I am not requesting to come in person to inspect, nor to obtain printed copies of, electronic records. In accordance with NC Public Records Law I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive records be provided to me via an electronic medium / format (in which the copies of these records already exist). Such as an email, file share, google drive folder, mailed flash drive if necessary, etc.

     

    **If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, please specifically cite where a reason for denial is justified under NC Public Records Law.**
    ——–

     

    By Law I am not required to provide a name or address to associate with a public records request, but in order to move things along I’d like to clarify that this request is being made by:

     

    Sunshine Request
    PO Box 17391
    Asheville, NC 28816

     

    The request has been sent solely from the email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from our Team. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of our request – We intend to continue to pursue our request.

     

    Please note that by submitting this request we are NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to any request. If it is not possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and explanations, and do not proceed until I can respond.

     

    Thank you for your assistance!”

     

    Thank you!

     

    ** Sunshine Request (www.sunshinerequest.com) makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.

    Status: Sent to Government
  • February 17, 2023 1:21 pm

    1 month ago

    Submitted to Sunshine Request
    Status: Pending