Skip To Main Content

Records Requests

Midland Independent School District, as a local governmental entity, is subject to the requirements of the Texas Public Information Act. The Texas Public Information (TPIA) gives individuals the right to request access to public information. Public information refers to information that is written, produced, collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business. The TPIA does not require Midland ISD to create new documents, answer questions, or perform legal research.  For more information about the Texas Public Information Act, visit the Texas Attorney General website (https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/open-government) or browse the Public Information Act Handbook (https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/files/divisions/open-government/publicinfo_hb.pdf).

Public Information Requests

Midland ISD is committed to transparency and to providing access to public information in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 552.

The Texas Public Information Act gives the public the right to request access to government records. Midland ISD processes public information requests through a centralized system to help ensure requests are received, tracked, reviewed, and fulfilled consistently.

https://midlandisd.nextrequest.com/

How to Submit a Public Information Request

  • Public information requests must be submitted in writing. Requests may be submitted through one of the following official District channels:
    • Midland ISD public records request portal, NextRequest 
    • Designated District email address
    • U.S. mail
    • In-person delivery
  • The public records request portal is the preferred method for submitting and tracking public information requests.
  • Requests received outside of the public records request portal will be entered into the District’s centralized request management system by the Public Information Administrator.
  • Requests received after 5:00 p.m. or on a District-designated nonbusiness day will be logged as received on the next District business day.

What to Include in Your Request

  • To help the District locate responsive records, please describe the information you are requesting as clearly and specifically as possible.
  • Helpful details may include:
    • The type of record requested;
    • The date range for the records;
    • Names, departments, campuses, programs, or topics related to the request; and
    • Whether you prefer to receive records electronically, inspect records in person, or receive paper copies.
  • A request does not need to include the words “Public Information Act” or “open records” to be processed as a public information request. However, the request must reasonably identify the information being requested.

How Requests Are Processed

  • Midland ISD processes public information requests in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act and applicable Attorney General rules.
  • The District’s Public Information Administrator is responsible for logging and tracking requests, requesting clarification or narrowing when needed, routing requests to appropriate departments or campuses, coordinating record collection and review, issuing required notices, preparing cost estimates when applicable, and coordinating production of responsive records.
  • Departments and campuses are responsible for conducting reasonable searches for responsive records and providing complete and accurate records to the Public Information Administrator.
  • When practicable, records will be provided electronically.

Request Timelines

  • Midland ISD will produce public information promptly, as required by law. “Promptly” means as soon as possible under the circumstances, within a reasonable time, and without delay.
  • The amount of time needed to respond to a request may vary depending on the scope of the request, the volume of responsive records, whether records must be reviewed for confidential information, whether clarification is needed, and whether a cost estimate or payment is required.
  • If the District cannot produce requested information within ten business days, the District will notify the requestor in writing and provide a reasonable date and time when the information is expected to be available. 
  • The Texas Attorney General explains that governmental bodies must release information promptly and must notify the requester if production will take longer than ten business days.

Clarification or Narrowing of Requests

  • If a request is unclear, overly broad, or does not reasonably identify the information requested, Midland ISD may ask the requestor to clarify or narrow the request.
  • Processing timelines will follow the statutory rules that apply to clarification or narrowing requests.
  • If the requestor does not respond in writing within 61 calendar days, the request is considered withdrawn under the Texas Public Information Act.

Inspection of Records

  • A requestor may ask to inspect records instead of receiving copies. In some cases, inspection may be a more cost-effective option.
  • If records are made available for inspection, Midland ISD will schedule an appointment and make the records available in a designated District location. A District employee will be available to assist during the inspection.
  • Records may be inspected during regular District business hours or at another time scheduled by the Public Information Administrator.

Records That Are Not Immediately Available

  • If requested records are in active use, in storage, require retrieval, require review, or are otherwise unavailable at the time of the request, Midland ISD will provide written notice and identify a reasonable date and time when the records are expected to be available.

Fees and Charges

  • Midland ISD calculates charges in accordance with the Texas Attorney General’s cost rules and applicable provisions of Texas Government Code Chapter 552.
  • Charges may include, when authorized by law:
    • Copy charges;
    • Labor charges;
    • Overhead;
    • Programming or data manipulation charges;
    • Computer-resource charges;
    • Remote document retrieval costs;
    • Supplies; and
    • Postage or shipping.
  • The Office of the Attorney General provides guidance to governmental bodies and requestors regarding charges for public information and handles complaints from requestors regarding alleged overcharges.

Common Public Information Charges

  • The following are common benchmark charges used under the Attorney General’s cost rules:

Charge Category

Current Benchmark

Implementation Note

Standard paper copy

$0.10 per page

Use for standard-size paper copies.

Labor for locating, compiling, manipulating data, and reproducing

$15.00 per hour

Not charged for 50 or fewer standard paper pages unless an allowed exception applies.

Programming labor

$28.50 per hour

Use when programming is required to retrieve or manipulate electronic data.

Overhead

20% of labor charge

Apply only when labor charges are allowed.

Oversize paper copy

$0.50 each

For 11x17 and similar nonstandard paper, excluding specialty paper.

CD-R / CD-RW

$1.00 each

Use only if information is actually produced on that medium.

DVD

$3.00 each

Use only if that medium is used.

Remote document retrieval

Actual cost

Document vendor or retrieval cost.

Postage / shipping

Actual cost

Use actual, necessary mailing or shipping cost.
  • Labor and overhead are not charged for 50 or fewer pages of standard paper records unless the records are located in two or more separate buildings, in remote storage, or another lawful exception applies.

Cost Estimates

  • If estimated charges exceed $40, Midland ISD will provide a written, itemized cost estimate before additional work is performed that would generate chargeable costs.
  • The estimate will include the anticipated charges and, when applicable, information about any less costly method of viewing or receiving the information.
  • A requestor may respond in writing by:
  1. Accepting the charges;
  2. Modifying the request; or
  3. Notifying the District that the requestor has sent or is sending a cost complaint to the Office of the Attorney General.
  • If the requestor does not respond in writing within 10 business days, the request is considered withdrawn under the Texas Public Information Act.

Deposits or Prepayment

  • If estimated charges exceed the amount allowed by law, Midland ISD may require a deposit, bond, or prepayment before continuing work on the request.
  • For a governmental body with more than 15 full-time employees, Texas Government Code Section 552.263 allows a deposit or bond when estimated charges exceed $100. 
  • If a required deposit or bond is not received by the 10th business day after the date it is required, the request is considered withdrawn under the Texas Public Information Act.

Updated Cost Estimates

  • If actual charges are expected to exceed a previously accepted estimate by more than 20 percent, Midland ISD will provide an updated written, itemized estimate.
  • The requestor must respond in writing within 10 business days if the requestor wishes to proceed, modify the request, or notify the District that a cost complaint is being submitted to the Office of the Attorney General.
  • If no written response is received, the request will be considered withdrawn.

Unpaid Balances

  • Midland ISD may require payment of documented unpaid charges from previous public information requests before processing a new request, as permitted by law.
  • Processing may be suspended until required deposits are received or outstanding balances are paid.

Personnel Time Limits

  • Midland ISD has adopted personnel-time limits authorized by Texas Government Code Section 552.275.
  • When applicable, personnel time will be tracked. Required cumulative time statements will be provided with applicable responses.
  • Midland ISD’s adopted threshold is 36 hours during a fiscal year or 15 hours during a one-month period before additional personnel-time charges may apply to a requestor.

Information That May Be Withheld or Redacted

  • Some information may be confidential by law or excepted from public disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act or other applicable laws.
  • If Midland ISD determines that requested information may be excepted from required public disclosure, the District may request a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General unless a previous determination or other legal authority allows the District to withhold or redact the information without requesting a ruling.
  • The Texas Attorney General states that if a governmental body determines information is excepted from disclosure, the information may need to be reviewed by the Open Records Division, which will issue a decision on whether the information may be withheld or must be released.

Delivery of Records

  • Responsive records may be provided through:
    • The NextRequest portal;
    • Email;
    • Physical pickup, when necessary;
    • U.S. mail, when necessary; or
    • In-person inspection.
  • Records will be released once review is complete and any required payment has been received.

Questions About a Request

  • Questions about a pending public information request should be submitted through the NextRequest portal or directed to the Midland ISD Public Information Office.

Public Information Office
Midland Independent School District
615 W. Missouri Ave.

MidlandTX79701
communications@midlandisd.net
432-240-1040
https://midlandisd.nextrequest.com/

Need Help from the Texas Attorney General?

The Texas Attorney General’s Open Records Division provides information for

requestors and governmental bodies about the Texas Public Information Act, including

rights of requestors, charges for public information, and how to report a concern.

The Attorney General’s Open Government Hotline is available at (512) 478-6736 or toll free: (877) 673-6839.

The Board of Trustees have approved the Texas Public Information Act calendar for 2026. Days designated as District “nonbusiness days” are indicated on the calendar shown below.