Westerly Schools Receive Multiple Records Requests Under APRA

WESTERLY, RI — The Westerly School District has become the third district in the state to receive multiple requests for public records concerning race in the curriculum. School districts in South Kingstown and Barrington have also received large record requests.

Superintendent Mark Garceau told WPRI-TV that the district is responding to a lengthy list of requests under the state's Access to Public Records Act, and that that fulfilling those requests is taking many hours. Information has been sought about flags in the classroom and whether the Holocaust is still being taught. Petitioners are seeking copies of teacher emails and more.

Westerly resident Bob Chiaradio confirmed to WPRI that he sent a records request on May 27 with 11 items. He asked for copies of Westerly's entire K-12 curriculum, slides and materials from inherent bias training for teachers and staff, and correspondence from the superintendent or assistant superintendent mentioning phrases such as "white privilege," "George Floyd," and "Black Lives Matter."

South Kingstown woman Nicole Solas made national headlines last week for making similar records requests in her town.

Read more at WPRI.