Yellowhammer Times

FOIA Request to J. F. Drake State Community And Technical College regarding University Board Member Information on October 22, 2025.

A request for public records was sent to J. F. Drake State Community And Technical College under the Alabama Open Records Law § 36-12-40 et seq. The request seeks a current list of members of the University's governing board or board of trustees, including each member's full name, title or position, and term of service. Additionally, it requests any official headshots, portraits, or photographs maintained by the University for use in official publications, directories, or on the University's website. Furthermore, the request includes any official biographies or biographical summaries prepared or maintained by the University for press releases, board directories, or public profiles.

The request was made by Yellowhammer Times as part of their commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The media organization emphasizes that access to these public records is crucial for fulfilling its professional responsibilities in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency to the public. They have also requested a fee waiver based on their role as a media professional.

The requester is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization assisting media companies and advocacy groups in investigating governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. More information about this coalition can be found at https://stopsecrecy.org/about/.

Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.