WBSD7 Open Records Requests by JustFOIA

North Dakota’s “sunshine laws” ensure transparency by granting the public access to government records and meetings unless a specific law authorizes their confidentiality. These laws apply to public schools and other government entities.

Williston Basin School District #7 is committed to compliance with these laws and welcomes open records requests from the public in accordance with North Dakota Century Code, beginning at §44-04-17.1

What are Open Records?

Open records laws are designed to provide access to existing records (documents, files, emails, etc.) maintained by a public entity.
However, they do not obligate the public entity to:

  1. Answer Questions or Provide Information

    • If someone asks for general information or explanations about the content of a record, that is not considered an open records request.

    • Open records laws apply only to providing copies of existing records, not answering questions.

  2. Create or Compile New Records

    • The public entity is not required to create a document, chart, or report in response to a request. For example, if a document showing "all teachers with 10+ years of experience" doesn’t already exist, the district is not required to compile such a list.

  3. Convert Records to a New Format

    • If the records are not already in the requested format (e.g., electronic instead of paper), the district is not obligated to convert them.

In short, an open records request is strictly about obtaining copies of existing documents or files as they are. It does not cover inquiries for explanations, summaries, or the creation of new information.

Under North Dakota Century Code, an initial request need not be made in writing, but a public entity may require written clarification of the request to determine what records are being requested.

What to Expect After Submitting an Open Records Request

  • The district will respond to your request within a reasonable time frame based on the scope and complexity of the records requested.

  • If records cannot be provided, the district will cite the legal authority for denying the request.

  • Fees may apply for processing, copying, or mailing records. The district will request prepayment of estimated charges to be paid in full prior to processing the request.

Student Records or Transcript Requests
At this time, the JustFOIA online platform linked below is not used for requesting student records or transcripts. Requests for student records and transcripts are anticipated to be implemented in phases during 2025.

Student Records
To request student records, please email the school directly. You can find your school's contact information on our Contact Us page.
If the school is unknown, please email enrollment@willistonschools.org and your email will be routed to the appropriate school.

Transcripts
To request a transcript from Williston High School, please fill out the form on this page.

Submitting a Request for Open Records

As of January 2025, WBSD7 has adopted a new process for submitting and tracking open records requests via the JustFOIA system.

To submit a request, use the link below.

Submit New Request

For more information about North Dakota’s Open Records Laws, view the North Dakota Open Records Guide.
For more information about JustFOIA, visit their website.