(November 2023) Request for Alexander County, NC Schools: Central Office Administration current annual salaries – including pay, incentives, bonuses. And two contracts.

Activity:

• December 1, 2023 11:05 am

  2 days ago

  from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
  to: Paula Lovitt <[email protected]>
  cc: Chris Campbell <[email protected]>, Denita Reavis <[email protected]>, [email protected]
  date: Dec 1, 2023, 11:05 AM
  subject: Fwd: Request from 11-15-23

   

  Good afternoon Chris and and Paula,

   

  Please reply promptly to the following:

   

  It’s unclear why — but for some reason, I’ve been asked by Alexander County Schools to contact you directly for further assistance with my public records request, which was submitted to their organization via their online records form on 11/15/23. It’s a very simple request to fulfill, and they have fulfilled several other records requests for me in the past.

   

  Having received no reply to my initial submission, I followed up on my request via email on November 28. I wanted to confirm with Denita and others whether the request was received, and is being processed. As a result, I received the following replies (see copied below). I’ve clarified several points of Denita’s email, and she’s asked me to email you directly for further assistance.

   

  If ACS is denying my request, then I’d ask that they please state this explicitly with an explanation of what it is they feel cannot be fulfilled, and please cite specifically where the denial is justified under NC Public Records Law.

   

  If it’s easiest to discuss this over the phone, I’ll be happy to give you a call.

   

  Thank you.

   

  ~ Lauren (and the Sunshine Request Team)

  ---

   

  —– Forwarded message —-

  On Thu, Nov 30, 2023 at 1:16 PM Denita Reavis <[email protected]> wrote:

  Sunshine Request,

  I received the request of 11-15-23.

   

  I fulfilled a request from 9-28-23 on 10-23-23 which included information requested again. The completed request was not published on the Sunshine Request website until 11-7-23.

   

  The documents requested in the 11-15-23 submission either have been provided or do not exist in an electronic format.  A photocopy may be requested in person at any time.

   

  Lastly, I’ve included a picture from your site which shows on 11-15-23 information was requested. It also gives the district a “score” on 11-15-23 for not fulfilling the request.

   

  Thanks,

  Denita

  —

  Denita Dowell-Reavis-Ed.D.

  Children First

  Alexander County Schools Communications Director

  Office # 828-632-7001 ext 212

   

  Representatives of Alexander County Schools communicate via this domain. Consequently, any communication via this domain (whether by a school system employee or the general public) may be subject to monitoring and disclosure to third parties.

  ---

   

  From: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>

  Date: Thu, Nov 30, 2023 at 3:05 PM

  Subject: Re: Request from 11-15-23

  To: Denita Reavis <[email protected]>

   

  Hi Denita,

   

  Thanks for your reply. I’d like to clarify several points of your email:

   

  1.
  Thank you for confirming receipt of the following public records request I submitted to ACS on 11/15/23:

   

  (November 2023) Request for Alexander County, NC Schools: Central Office Administration current annual salaries – including pay, incentives, bonuses. And two contracts.
  https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/november-2023-request-for-alexander-county-nc-schools-central-office-administration-current-annual-salaries-including-pay-incentives-bonuses-and-two-contracts/

   

  “I acknowledge that a similar September 2023 request for all ACS employee salaries was completed by your offices on 10/23/23. However, the new request I’m submitting today is a bit different.

   

  This request is related to the following employees of Alexander County Schools Central Office / Administration:

   

  – Superintendent
  – Associate Superintendent
  – Executive Director of HR and Auxillary Services
  – Director of Headstart
  – Director of Transportation
  – Director of Exceptional Children and Student Services
  – Executive Director of Finance
  – Director of School Nutrition Services
  – Director of Communications
  – Director of School Maintenance and Facilities
  – Director of NC Pre-K and Headstart
  – Director of Federal Programs and Testing and Accountability
  – Director of CTE and Secondary Education

   

  A. Please provide the current Annual Salary for each employee listed. Please included the following:

   

  1) Employee first / last name
  2) Original Hire Date
  3) Current Position / Title / Department
  4) Current annual salary [including pay, incentives, and bonuses].

   

  B1. Please provide the electronic copy of the current employment contract for ACS’ Superintendent.
  B2. Please provide the electronic copy of the current employment contract for ACS’ Associate Superintendent. “

   

  You’ve said the “documents requested in the 11-15-23 submission either have been provided or do not exist in an electronic format. A photocopy may be requested in person at any time.”

   

  I interpret this to mean that there is no electronic copy (it’s hard copy, paper, only) for items B1. and B2.? I’m not sure how the Superintendent, Associate Super., or ACS Central office would not have had to email or use a digital format both to create and to discuss a contract to document to be signed. If you just mean that the “executed / signed copies of these contracts are only available in paper form”, then I’d like to request instead that the unsigned final copies of the contracts be provided to me via email.

   

  Regarding the salary information requested in item A. I think you’re saying that this was already satisfied in October, and the data is “still accurate as of the present day” for the employees named? I just want to clarify, however, that my September request (completed on 10/23) asked for ALL current ACS employee names, hire dates, positions, and salaries. The November request above is a bit different, in that — I’m also asking to know any incentives and bonuses they receive, and only for the specific people named above.
  ————————————————

   

  2.
  I reviewed the screenshot you sent. I’m unsure when your screenshot was taken, but please note that a status that says “In Review”simply means that our team has only reviewed and published a new request on our website. This status also means that the request has not been formally submitted yet by our team to the Government entity — and if it has, then the public cannot yet see that status update (until we’ve been able to post it to our site).

   

  Once we’ve submitted a request to the appropriate entity, then as soon as we are able to we update the status to say we’ve “Sent it to the Government”. If you look at this November request specifically, you can see that it says we “Sent it to the Government” agency (ACS) on 11/15/23. We receive and process many different requests, and we are frequently posting all the updates or follow up messages we receive on our site. We are a very small team, and sometimes it can take us a couple of days to post every update or email we send and receive about a request.

   

  If you ever have questions about the different “Statuses” or “Editor’s Notes” on our site — or, if you have questions about how our Team processes requests, you can check that out here:
  https://www.sunshinerequest.com/frequently-asked-questions/

   

  I’m also unclear what you mean when you say that we gave the district “a ‘score’ on 11-15-23 for not fulfilling the request.” I assume you mean that we marked the request as being “Denied” ?

   

  It is true that we’ve had to mark various requests as being “Denied’ by different entities from time-to-time. However, I don’t see any such action or status indicated on our website for either the September or November requests we sent to ACS, and we haven’t indicated that you “Denied” either request. The November request is still open — and even the email exchange I’m writing to you right now, will get posted on our website either today or tomorrow.
  ————————————————

   

  3.
  You said that you “fulfilled a request from 9-28-23 on 10-23-23 which included information requested again. The completed request was not published on the Sunshine Request website until 11-7-23.” I think you may be referring to the only other recent request that either you or ACS has fulfilled for me and my Team:

   

  (September 2023) Request for Alexander County, NC Schools: All current employees and salaries as of 09/28/23 or present day.
  https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/september-2023-request-for-alexander-county-nc-schools-all-current-employees-and-salaries-as-of-09-28-23-or-present-day/

   

  You fulfilled that request on October 23rd, and I indicated it was marked as “Completed” on our website on October 24th. I can see in the admin of our site the last time that request was updated or edited by anyone on our Team was on October 26th (which was just when we were able to post the most recent update, completing the request). I’m unclear what you’re referring to when you say that this completed request wasn’t published on our website until 11/07. That is not accurate.

   

  I will assume that you’re actually referring to another submission you may have seen on our website, which we did not send to ACS. I received a new submission to our website on 10/31, and I did not have time to review or “publish” it (for the public to see) until 11/07. I wrote an Editor’s Note for the Sender on 11/07 that explained why our Team would not be submitting that request to ACS. Sunshine Request did not send that request to you or ACS:

   

  [See Editor’s Note] (November 2023) Submission related to “Alexander County Schools Central Office Staff and School Administration Salaries” 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2023
  https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/see-editors-note-november-2023-submission-related-to-alexander-county-schools-central-office-staff-and-school-administration-salaries-07-01-2022-06-30-2023/

   

  If you have any additional questions, I’ll be happy to give you a call to discuss if that’s easiest.

   

  Thank you for reading all of this information!

   

  ~ Lauren (and the Sunshine Request Team)

  ---

   

  from: Denita Reavis <[email protected]>
  to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>, Denita Reavis <[email protected]>
  date: Dec 1, 2023, 10:03 AM
  subject: Request from 11-15

   

  Please contact our attorney Chris Campbell at Campbell-Shatley for the information requested on 11-15. He can be reached through his assistant Paula Lovitt at [email protected]

   

  Thanks,
  Denita

  —

  Denita Dowell-Reavis-Ed.D.
  Children First
  Alexander County Schools Communications Director

  Office # 828-632-7001 ext 212

   

  Representatives of Alexander County Schools communicate via this domain. Consequently, any communication via this domain (whether by a school system employee or the general public) may be subject to monitoring and disclosure to third parties.

  ---

  Status: Clarification Requested
• December 1, 2023 10:03 am

  2 days ago

  from: Denita Reavis <[email protected]>
  to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>, Denita Reavis <[email protected]>
  date: Dec 1, 2023, 10:03 AM
  subject: Request from 11-15

   

  Sunshine Request,
  Please contact our attorney Chris Campbell at Campbell-Shatley for the information requested on 11-15. He can be reached through his assistant Paula Lovitt at [email protected]
  Thanks,
  Denita

  —

   

  Denita Dowell-Reavis-Ed.D.

  Children First

  Alexander County Schools Communications Director

   

  Office # 828-632-7001 ext 212

   

  Representatives of Alexander County Schools communicate via this domain.  Consequently, any communication via this domain (whether by a school system employee or the general public) may be subject to monitoring and disclosure to third parties.

  ---

  Status: Response Received from Government
• November 30, 2023 3:05 pm

  3 days ago

  from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
  to: Denita Reavis <[email protected]>
  date: Nov 30, 2023, 3:05 PM
  subject: Re: Request from 11-15-23

   

  Hi Denita,

   

  Thanks for your reply. I’d like to clarify several points of your email:

   

  1.
  Thank you for confirming receipt of the following public records request I submitted to ACS on 11/15/23:

   

  (November 2023) Request for Alexander County, NC Schools: Central Office Administration current annual salaries – including pay, incentives, bonuses. And two contracts.
  https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/november-2023-request-for-alexander-county-nc-schools-central-office-administration-current-annual-salaries-including-pay-incentives-bonuses-and-two-contracts/

   

  “I acknowledge that a similar September 2023 request for all ACS employee salaries was completed by your offices on 10/23/23. However, the new request I’m submitting today is a bit different.

   

  This request is related to the following employees of Alexander County Schools Central Office / Administration:

   

  – Superintendent
  – Associate Superintendent
  – Executive Director of HR and Auxillary Services
  – Director of Headstart
  – Director of Transportation
  – Director of Exceptional Children and Student Services
  – Executive Director of Finance
  – Director of School Nutrition Services
  – Director of Communications
  – Director of School Maintenance and Facilities
  – Director of NC Pre-K and Headstart
  – Director of Federal Programs and Testing and Accountability
  – Director of CTE and Secondary Education

   

  A. Please provide the current Annual Salary for each employee listed. Please included the following:

   

  1) Employee first / last name
  2) Original Hire Date
  3) Current Position / Title / Department
  4) Current annual salary [including pay, incentives, and bonuses].

   

  B1. Please provide the electronic copy of the current employment contract for ACS’ Superintendent.
  B2. Please provide the electronic copy of the current employment contract for ACS’ Associate Superintendent. “

   

  You’ve said the “documents requested in the 11-15-23 submission either have been provided or do not exist in an electronic format. A photocopy may be requested in person at any time.”

   

  I interpret this to mean that there is no electronic copy (it’s hard copy, paper, only) for items B1. and B2.? I’m not sure how the Superintendent, Associate Super., or ACS Central office would not have had to email or use a digital format both to create and to discuss a contract to document to be signed. If you just mean that the “executed / signed copies of these contracts are only available in paper form”, then I’d like to request instead that the unsigned final copies of the contracts be provided to me via email.

   

  Regarding the salary information requested in item A. I think you’re saying that this was already satisfied in October, and the data is “still accurate as of the present day” for the employees named? I just want to clarify, however, that my September request (completed on 10/23) asked for ALL current ACS employee names, hire dates, positions, and salaries. The November request above is a bit different, in that — I’m also asking to know any incentives and bonuses they receive, and only for the specific people named above.
  ————————————————

   

  2.
  I reviewed the screenshot you sent. I’m unsure when your screenshot was taken, but please note that a status that says “In Review” simply means that our team has only reviewed and published a new request on our website. This status also means that the request has not been formally submitted yet by our team to the Government entity — and if it has, then the public cannot yet see that status update (until we’ve been able to post it to our site).

   

  Once we’ve submitted a request to the appropriate entity, then as soon as we are able to we update the status to say we’ve “Sent it to the Government”. If you look at this November request specifically, you can see that it says we “Sent it to the Government” agency (ACS) on 11/15/23. We receive and process many different requests, and we are frequently posting all the updates or follow up messages we receive on our site. We are a very small team, and sometimes it can take us a couple of days to post every update or email we send and receive about a request.

   

  If you ever have questions about the different “Statuses” or “Editor’s Notes” on our site — or, if you have questions about how our Team processes requests, you can check that out here:
  https://www.sunshinerequest.com/frequently-asked-questions/

   

  I’m also unclear what you mean when you say that we gave the district “a ‘score’ on 11-15-23 for not fulfilling the request.” I assume you mean that we marked the request as being “Denied” ?

   

  It is true that we’ve had to mark various requests as being “Denied’ by different entities from time-to-time. However, I don’t see any such action or status indicated on our website for either the September or November requests we sent to ACS, and we haven’t indicated that you “Denied” either request. The November request is still open — and even the email exchange I’m writing to you right now, will get posted on our website either today or tomorrow.
  ————————————————

   

  3.
  You said that you “fulfilled a request from 9-28-23 on 10-23-23 which included information requested again. The completed request was not published on the Sunshine Request website until 11-7-23.” I think you may be referring to the only other recent request that either you or ACS has fulfilled for me and my Team:

   

  (September 2023) Request for Alexander County, NC Schools: All current employees and salaries as of 09/28/23 or present day.
  https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/september-2023-request-for-alexander-county-nc-schools-all-current-employees-and-salaries-as-of-09-28-23-or-present-day/

   

  You fulfilled that request on October 23rd, and I indicated it was marked as “Completed” on our website on October 24th. I can see in the admin of our site the last time that request was updated or edited by anyone on our Team was on October 26th (which was just when we were able to post the most recent update, completing the request). I’m unclear what you’re referring to when you say that this completed request wasn’t published on our website until 11/07. That is not accurate.

   

  I will assume that you’re actually referring to another submission you may have seen on our website, which we did not send to ACS. I received a new submission to our website on 10/31, and I did not have time to review or “publish” it (for the public to see) until 11/07. I wrote an Editor’s Note for the Sender on 11/07 that explained why our Team would not be submitting that request to ACS. Sunshine Request did not send that request to you or ACS:

   

  [See Editor’s Note] (November 2023) Submission related to “Alexander County Schools Central Office Staff and School Administration Salaries” 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2023
  https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/see-editors-note-november-2023-submission-related-to-alexander-county-schools-central-office-staff-and-school-administration-salaries-07-01-2022-06-30-2023/

   

  If you have any additional questions, I’ll be happy to give you a call to discuss if that’s easiest.

   

  Thank you for reading all of this information!

   

  ~ Lauren (and the Sunshine Request Team)

  ---

  Status: Clarification Provided
• November 30, 2023 1:16 pm

  3 days ago

  from: Denita Reavis <[email protected]>
  to: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>, Denita Reavis <[email protected]>
  date: Nov 30, 2023, 1:16 PM
  subject: Request from 11-15-23

   

  Sunshine Request,
  I received the request of 11-15-23.

   

  I fulfilled a request from 9-28-23 on 10-23-23 which included information requested again. The completed request was not published on the Sunshine Request website until 11-7-23.

   

  The documents requested in the 11-15-23 submission either have been provided or do not exist in an electronic format. A photocopy may be requested in person at any time.

   

  Lastly, I’ve included a picture from your site which shows on 11-15-23 information was requested. It also gives the district a “score” on 11-15-23 for not fulfilling the request.

   

  Thanks,

  Denita

  —

   

  Denita Dowell-Reavis-Ed.D.

  Children First

  Alexander County Schools Communications Director

   

  Office # 828-632-7001 ext 212

   

  Representatives of Alexander County Schools communicate via this domain.  Consequently, any communication via this domain (whether by a school system employee or the general public) may be subject to monitoring and disclosure to third parties.

   

  

   

  **Editor’s Note: You can also see the 1 file (screenshot) referenced “11.15.23-Request.png” at top left in our Documents section.

  ---

  Status: Response Received from Government
• November 28, 2023 2:25 pm

  5 days ago

  from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
  to: Denita Reavis <[email protected]>
  cc: Sharon Mehaffey <[email protected]>, [email protected]
  date: Nov 28, 2023, 2:25 PM
  subject: Following up on my Public Records Request. “(November 2023) Request for Alexander County, NC Schools: Central Office Administration current annual salaries – including pay, incentives, bonuses. And two contracts.”

   

  Good afternoon Denita (or ACS Records Officer / Custodian(s) of these Records),

   

  I submitted the following public records request (see copied below) to Alexander County Schools on 11/15/23 at 12:39pm, via your Public Records Requests online form.

   

  I have not received any response since I submitted the request.

   

  Can you please confirm receipt of the request below to let me know it has begun processing — and please provide an anticipated date for the completion of my request?

   

  I’ll follow up again in 1 week, if I do not hear anything else before then.

   

  Thank you!
  ————

   

  SUBJECT:
  Public Records Request. (November 2023) Request for Alexander County, NC Schools: Central Office Administration current annual salaries – including pay, incentives, bonuses. And two contracts.

   

  MESSAGE:
  Good afternoon Denita (or ACS Records Officer / Custodian(s) of these Records),

   

  Please reply promptly to the following multi-part public records request, which I’m making in accordance with NC Public Records Law. https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html

   

  I acknowledge that a similar September 2023 request for all ACS employee salaries was completed by your offices on 10/23/23. However, the new request I’m submitting today is a bit different.

   

  This request is related to the following employees of Alexander County Schools Central Office / Administration:

   

  – Superintendent
  – Associate Superintendent
  – Executive Director of HR and Auxillary Services
  – Director of Headstart
  – Director of Transportation
  – Director of Exceptional Children and Student Services
  – Executive Director of Finance
  – Director of School Nutrition Services
  – Director of Communications
  – Director of School Maintenance and Facilities
  – Director of NC Pre-K and Headstart
  – Director of Federal Programs and Testing and Accountability
  – Director of CTE and Secondary Education

   

  Please provide the current Annual Salary for each employee listed. Please included the following:

   

  1) Employee first / last name
  2) Original Hire Date
  3) Current Position / Title / Department
  4) Current annual salary [including pay, incentives, and bonuses].

   

  B1. Please provide the electronic copy of the current employment contract for ACS’ Superintendent.

   

  B2. Please provide the electronic copy of the current employment contract for ACS’ Associate Superintendent.

   

  ** I’m simply requesting an electronic copy of an electronic record, if one exists. I’m NOT asking for the opportunity to come in person to “inspect”, nor to obtain a printed copy of, this electronic record. I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive info be provided to me via the electronic medium / electronic format (in which the copy of this record should already exist). 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.**
  ————————————

   

  Please note that by submitting this request, I’m NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to my request. If it isn’t possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and explanations for those charges upfront, and DO NOT proceed until I respond.

   

  By Law I’m 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 by me and my email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request.

   

  Thank you for your assistance!

   

  ** 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: Follow up
• November 15, 2023 12:39 pm

  2 weeks ago

  Editor’s Note: 11/15/23 @ 12:39pm EST. We received the following automated response:

   

  “ Public Records Request

  Your request has been received. Please allow two weeks for an initial response unless otherwise notified. ”

  ---

   

  Editor’s Note: Using the link Denita has previously provided, we submitted the message below to “Alexander County Schools”, at 12:39pm EST on 11/15/2023:

   

  SUBJECT:

  Public Records Request.  (November 2023) Request for Alexander County, NC Schools: Central Office Administration current annual salaries – including pay, incentives, bonuses. And two contracts.

   

  MESSAGE:

  Good afternoon Denita (or ACS Records Officer / Custodian(s) of these Records),

   

  Please reply promptly to the following multi-part public records request, which I’m making in accordance with NC Public Records Law. https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html

   

  I acknowledge that a similar September 2023 request for all ACS employee salaries was completed by your offices on 10/23/23. However, the new request I’m submitting today is a bit different.

   

  This request is related to the following employees of Alexander County Schools Central Office / Administration: 

   

  – Superintendent

  – Associate Superintendent

  – Executive Director of HR and Auxillary Services

  – Director of Headstart

  – Director of Transportation

  – Director of Exceptional Children and Student Services

  – Executive Director of Finance

  – Director of School Nutrition Services

  – Director of Communications

  – Director of School Maintenance and Facilities

  – Director of NC Pre-K and Headstart

  – Director of Federal Programs and Testing and Accountability

  – Director of CTE and Secondary Education

   

  Please provide the current Annual Salary for each employee listed. Please included the following:

   

  1) Employee first / last name

  2) Original Hire Date

  3) Current Position / Title / Department

  4) Current annual salary [including pay, incentives, and bonuses].

   

  B1. Please provide the electronic copy of the current employment contract for ACS’ Superintendent.

   

  B2. Please provide the electronic copy of the current employment contract for ACS’ Associate Superintendent.

   

  ** I’m simply requesting an electronic copy of an electronic record, if one exists. I’m NOT asking for the opportunity to come in person to “inspect”, nor to obtain a printed copy of, this electronic record. I’m requesting explicitly that any responsive info be provided to me via the electronic medium / electronic format (in which the copy of this record should already exist). 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.**

  ————————————

   

  Please note that by submitting this request, I’m NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to my request. If it isn’t possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and explanations for those charges upfront, and DO NOT proceed until I respond.

   

  By Law I’m 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 by me and my email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request.

   

  Thank you for your assistance!

   

  ** 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
• November 15, 2023 12:32 pm

  2 weeks ago

  Submitted to Sunshine Request

  ---

  Status: Pending