Missouri Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Rockwood School District for Violating Sunshine Law

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has filed a lawsuit accusing the Rockwood School District of violating the Sunshine Law. The lawsuit is in connection with a records request made by Schmitt’s office in November 2021, requesting records related to the district publishing an FBI tip line number connected to the agency’s probe of threats to school board members.

According to the lawsuit, the district demanded upfront payment of fees and a deposit “to prepare copies” of requested records, even though all records requested were electronic in nature and did not require copying. The lawsuit further alleges that the district failed to provide timely responses to Sunshine Requests for public records, charged excessive fees, and failed to provide reasonable access to records.

The National School Board Association (NSBA) has become involved in the case, submitting an amicus brief in support of the Rockwood School District. The NSBA argues that the lawsuit is part of a broader effort by some state attorneys general to intimidate and harass school board members and that it represents a threat to local control of schools.

Attorney General Schmitt and other state attorneys general have pushed back against these claims, arguing that the lawsuits are intended to ensure transparency and accountability in government activities and to protect citizens' rights to access public records.

The Rockwood School District has responded to the lawsuit, stating that it has not been officially served with the document and is confident it has acted in compliance with the Sunshine Law. The district has also said it will confer with its attorneys to determine the next steps.

The lawsuit seeks fines of $1,000 and $5,000 for knowing and purposeful violations of the Sunshine Law. Attorney General Schmitt has emphasized the importance of government transparency and accountability and the need to enforce laws that protect citizens' rights to access public records.

The case is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how it will be resolved. However, it highlights the importance of complying with the Sunshine Law and the need for government entities to provide reasonable access to public records.