Niles Community Schools is asking for more time to respond to a request by the Niles Daily Star to obtain information regarding the suspension of a school administrator.

On May 6, the Niles Daily Star sent a Freedom of Information Act request to the school district seeking copies of complaints made and/or disciplinary action taken against Administrator Amy Scott, who is on paid suspension pending the outcome of a hearing with the state’s Teacher Tenure Commission. The Star also requested a copy of the formal complaint brought against her.

The district responded to the Star’s FOIA request with an email dated May 13 requesting a five business-day extension.

The email, signed by John Tanke, human resources director, reads:

“This extension is also necessary in order to search for the requested records and, if located, permit a determination regarding whether any of the provisions of Section 13(1) of the FOIA (i.e., exemptions for disclosure) is applicable. Also, please be advised that the FOIA does not require that a public body create a new record to satisfy a FOIA request.”

The email went on to say the district would respond to the FOIA request on or before May 20 by either granting the request in full, granting it in part or denying it all together.

The Star sent the FOIA request after the school board voted unanimously to formally pursue tenure charges against Scott following a closed session at a May 7 meeting.

Interim Supt. Michael Lindley said he could not talk about the charges brought against Scott at that time due to attorney client privileged information.