Fairfax County Schools Under Audit for Transparency

Fairfax County's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) office is facing criticism for allegedly overcharging residents for access to public records. A recent request for information from the district’s Student Information System was estimated to cost $105, raising concerns about the transparency and accessibility of public information. The FOIA office has not responded to inquiries regarding the inflated labor estimate, which has led to suspicions of systemic issues within the office. This is not an isolated incident. In February 2022, Debra Tisler, a former school board candidate, submitted a FOIA request for procurement card purchase documents, which could have revealed potential fraud and waste by county officials. The response from the FOIA office was a staggering estimate of $28,000, citing substantial labor time, effectively making the request cost-prohibitive. Critics argue that such high fees violate Virginia FOIA law, which stipulates that charges should not exceed the actual cost of accessing and copying records. In light of these concerns, a request has been made to the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council for a comprehensive audit of the Fairfax County Public Schools’ FOIA office. Many residents believe that the excessive fees are a tactic to limit access to information, particularly for those opposing the district's strategic initiatives. The internal auditor general, whose salary exceeds $225,000, has been criticized for prioritizing the district's image over uncovering potential misconduct. The future of the requested audit remains uncertain, as the FOIA office continues to face scrutiny over its practices and the implications for transparency in local governance.