COLUMBUS — April 6, 2010 — In an important decision for teachers and education professionals in Ohio, Judge Dan Hogan of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas has issued an order in favor of the Ohio Education Association stating that the Ohio Department of Education and its agents and employees shall not, pursuant to any public records request, release or publish the residential (home) addresses, home telephone numbers, and personal email addresses of individuals licensed by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). In a detailed six-page opinion, Judge Hogan found that the disclosure of such information would cause irreparable harm since the information could never be returned to its current level of privacy once released.
“We are very pleased with the court’s decision. Our commitment to the privacy and safety of Ohio education employees compelled OEA to challenge access to this personal information,” said OEA president Patricia Frost-Brooks. “OEA has always believed the personal information of our members is not a public record under Ohio law.”
The Ohio School Boards Association and the Ohio Association of School Business Officials had filed amicus briefs in support of OEA’s position.
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The Ohio Education Association (ohea.org) represents 121,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.
CONTACT: Michele Prater
614-227-3071; cell 614-378-0469, praterm@ohea.org
