All Walton County School District records, unless exempted by state or federal law, are public records. “Public Records” means all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other materials, made or received in connection with the official business of Walton County School District.

Florida Statute 119.01, referred to as the Florida Sunshine Law, governs the public’s right to inspect and obtain copies of public records. The Office of the Attorney General’s Government-In-The-Sunshine Manual contains additional helpful information, including summaries of what exemptions apply to public records requests.

Anyone can request a public record in person, verbally over the telephone, in an email or in writing. You do not have to give your name or explain why you are making a request. There may be a fee associated with your request. If so, you will be notified in advance.

You may contact the Public Records Custodian at 850-892-1100, ext. 1302, HughesR@walton.k12.fl.us, or 145 Park St., DeFuniak Springs, FL  32435. 

Prepare your public records request. Your request for public records should include:

• Contact information so that we can notify you that the public records request is prepared.

• A clear concise description of the records that you are seeking. Please avoid acronyms.

• Searches of emails should include:

  • Date range for the requested email messages

  • Identify email accounts that should be searched

  • Keywords to use during a search

In order for us to provide you the best response to your request, please carefully consider the information that will be useful to you. Very broad requests can take longer to fulfill and may become costly. The requested information will be provided in a reasonable period of time under normal conditions, unless such information is considered to be confidential or exempt from public records disclosure.

An optional Public Records Request Form is available below.

• Public-Records-Request-Form

There may be a fee for a public records request, depending upon the amount of staff time required to fulfill the request and costs such as photocopying. A cost estimate can be provided prior to researching and providing the records.

The following are the most common costs:

• Clerical/Supervisor time (includes research and redaction time).  A higher rate may be charged for requests that involve complex documents containing various exempt or confidential information.

• eMail extractions: Additional charges may be incurred for researches.

• Copies: 15 cents for each one-sided copy and 20 cents for each two-sided copy. One dollar ($1.00) may be charged for certified copies of a public record.

• Other fees: Cost of the material and supplies used. 

• Delivery Fee (mailing and shipping): charged as incurred. 

• Board Approved Public Records Request Information and Fee Schedule