Man seeks salary details

GLENDALE — Brian Ellis’ months-long quest for a list of Glendale Unified School District employees who make more than $100,000 per year remains unfulfilled. Legal experts say the delay could run afoul of the state’s public information law.

Ellis, a Glendale resident and husband of a former board of education member, began asking for the list in August, and submitted a formal public information request Oct. 5. Under California law, public agencies have 10 days to respond to such requests, but can have an extension. So far, Ellis’ request has gone unfulfilled, exposing the school district to possible legal action.

“It seems extraordinary for them to take this long on what should be a very simple request with readily accessible information that has been clearly a matter of public record,” said Terry Francke, who was executive director and general counsel for the California First Amendment Coalition for 14 years and founder of Californians Aware, a nonpartisan nonprofit that promotes government transparency.

Glendale Unified Supt. Michael Escalante said the most recent information would be delivered to Ellis within days. Ellis addressed school board members last week to request the records.

“I’ve got to pull it from different places and get it together, but I haven’t made it a priority,” Escalante said. “He’s due that information . . . I just have to give it the priority of getting it done this week.”

Ellis’ hunt began at a summertime homeowners association meeting with school board Vice President Greg Krikorian.

“I said I appreciate your question and concern,” Krikorian said. “I passed on his request to appropriate staff members to handle it. If it’s not handled properly, I pass that on to the superintendent. I said, ‘Please handle this as soon as possible without affecting the everyday education of our students and handling the present budget crisis we’re in.’”

District officials provided 2006-07 salary figures last fall, but have not furnished the most recent information to match Ellis’ request. Salaries for 2009-10 become available in July, district officials said.

Ellis has given district officials until Dec. 1 to match his inquiry before filing a lawsuit.