A Message from the Shaker Heights City School District

In the coming days, the School District may be the subject of news media reports involving personnel matters with information gained under the Ohio public records law. Under the Ohio Revised Code, District records about employees and investigative materials are generally regarded as public records. Several media organizations have requested to receive such records. This information must and will be provided to the requesting parties as required under Ohio law.

These news stories may include complaints by several of our students involving a High School teacher. The stories may also cover allegations or complaints made against the High School principal and several coaches. We have asked all media organizations to put this information in context and consider both student and employee concerns as they report on these issues.

Should you read or hear of such news stories, please know that the District works diligently to protect student and employee information in accordance with Ohio public records laws. For example, the District is required to protect students’ education records and redact student information from certain other District records. While the District cannot control how the media uses information gained from public records requests, we want you to know that the District has and will continue to protect student and staff information to the extent possible while satisfying its legal obligation to provide public records related to District operations.