Weast fails Obama goal

From President Barack Obama's Transparency and Open Government Memorandum:

My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.

Government should be transparent. Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their Government is doing...

But here in Montgomery County, Maryland, just a hop, skip and jump from The White House, documents that should be public remain tightly guarded by Superintendent Jerry Weast; despite the requirements of the Maryland Public Information Act and President Obama's guidance for good government.

National education commentator Peyton Wolcott has documented her multiple requests to Superintendent Jerry Weast for information pertaining to a MCPS partnership with a private company on her website.

On August 14, 2009, another request was made for documents relating to the same partnership. Despite the Maryland Public Information Act requirement that the government agency respond within 30 days, no response was received from Superintendent Weast's office.

It has now been (click here to see up-to-date count) days since the August 14, 2009 Maryland Public Information Act request was made - well beyond 30 days.