krrp foia request to cps march 2013
TRANSCRIPT
March 19, 2013
James L. Bebley, General Counsel
Chicago Public Schools
Law Department
125 S. Clark Street7
thFloor
Chicago, IL 60603
Dear Mr. Bebley,
The Kids’ Right to Read Project, an initiative founded by the National Coalition
Against Censorship and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, is
concerned with reports that CPS officials instructed its school administrators to
remove the book Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi from school libraries and classrooms.In particular, we understand that a directive was communicated to the principal at
Lane Tech High School and other school principals. Since early reports, Ms. Byrd-
Bennett has evidently revised the request to pertain to classrooms and to prevent 7th
grade teachers from teaching the text.
We would ask that, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, you please
provide a copy of all records relating to or making reference to the removal of Persepolis from CPS libraries and classrooms, including but not limited to:
(1) when and by whom the decision about the original directive was reached(2) instructions to remove the book
(3) correspondence about the removal and the amendment to the decision to remove
(4) documents relating to an explanation for restricting access to this book at any
grade level(5) documents reflecting current policies on teaching Persepolis.
You may send these materials to us, preferably in digital format, at [email protected], or via post at:
Acacia O’Connor
National Coalition Against CensorshipSuite 407, 19 Fulton Street
New York, NY 10038
We request that you please waive copying fees pursuant to the provision in section
6(b) of the Act, by which materials requested are disbursed “in the public interest” atno charge. The documents sought by the Kids’ Right to Read Project are not for
personal or commercial benefit or use. Should you deny our request to be considered
under the waiver and require copying costs, please let me know the anticipated
charges before disbursing the requested records.
We look forward to receiving these materials within five working days of this request,
as stipulated by the Illinois FOIA.
Please let me know if you have any further questions. I can be reached at 212-807-
6222 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Acacia O’Connor
Coordinator, Kids’ Right to Read Project
National Coalition Against Censorship
CC: Cassandra Daniels, Freedom of Information Officer, [email protected]