The Michigan Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear a case today regarding a disagreement between Howell Public Schools and its teachers union over the release of teachers' e-mails. Mackinac Center Senior Legal Analyst Patrick J. Wright filed a "friend of the court" brief in the case, explaining that the e-mails are public record and thus subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
The case stems from a 2007 request by a private individual for about 5,500 e-mails between Howell Education Association union leaders and Howell teachers sent using school district computers. A Livingston County judge in late 2008 ruled that the e-mails are public record, which the union appealed.
Get insightful commentary and the most reliable research on Michigan issues sent straight to your inbox.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
Please consider contributing to our work to advance a freer and more prosperous state.