Communications

The Mendocino County Office of Education's Public Relations Officer provides public relations and strategic communications support to promote MCOE programs, initiatives, and achievements. We share news and information through print publications, news releases​, internet and social media communications, multimedia presentations and other methods. If you are a member of the public or news media in need of information about the Mendocino County Office of Education, please contact  Brook Gamble, Director of Communications & Engagement: bgamble@mcoe.us or (707) 457-5029.

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The California Public Records Act (CPRA)

Government Code §6252 (e) defines a public record as “any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used or retained by any state or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics." The Mendocino County County Office of Education (MCOE) respects the public’s right to access records created and maintained by MCOE in the course of normal business. In order to invoke a CPRA, the request for records must be both specific and focused. MCOE requests that you narrow your request to that which reasonably identifies the desired records in order for staff to more efficiently search for and promptly provide responsive documents.

Making a CPRA Request

A focused request must include the following to ensure that  MCOE staff have enough information to research as possible to process your request:

• The subject of the record
• A clear, concise, and specific description of the record(s) being requested
• The date(s) of the record(s), or a time period for your request (e.g.: calendar year 2020)
• Full names for the individuals and/or departments included in your request, including proper spelling
• Any additional information that helps staff identify the record(s) being requested
• Your contact information for response to your request, preferably an email address

Please make every effort to research the records you are requesting, prior to submitting your request. There is a vast amount of information, resources, and records available on the MCOE website and the California Department of Education website, by utilizing the search tool, or browsing the topics related to your request.

CPRA Response Time

MCOE will review your request promptly upon receipt, and will, within 10 calendar days from the date the request was received, notify you of one or more of the following:

• We have determined that the MCOE has nonexempt records responsive to your request and the date the records will be provided.
• We have determined your request seeks records exempt from mandatory disclosure pursuant to the PRA.
• Your request requires additional guidance to make a clearer and more effective request.
• MCOE does not have documents responsive to your request.

As a courtesy, you may receive a receipt of acknowledgement, however this is not a requirement by law.

Under unusual circumstances, we may extend this time to respond to your request by an additional fourteen days. MCOE will notify you when it extends the response time and inform you of the reasons for the extension.

MCOE may deny your request if we determine the records you are seeking are privileged, confidential or otherwise exempt from mandatory disclosure under the PRA, or if the requested records are not found. MCOE will notify you if we make this determination.​

Please contact the office of the Superintendent of Schools for all public records requests.