School administrators and the CPRA
Q: Is a high school principal considered a public official? E.G. are his/her “writings” public open to public view per the California Constitution?
A: Under the California Public Records Act, “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,” Govt. Code Section 6252(e), is “open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency and every person has a right to inspect any public record,” except as provided for under the PRA or other law. Govt. Code Section 6253(a). Documents created by a public high school principal in the course of his or her employment could meet this requirement, along with other school records, subject to the various exemptions of the PRA.