Editorial:

There’s a simple reason the California Public Records Act passed in 1968: “The people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business.”

There were limits put in place, much of it having to do with protecting public safety, others’ privacy and length of time to respond to such requests — 10 business days, with the ability to take 14 more if needed. Beyond the time extension, those limits took little else into consideration, no matter the volume of records or information requested. Yes, there’s some tiny wiggle room if good faith can be proved, but beyond that, our government agencies are obligated to pony up.

For Brian Ellis and his request for the Glendale Unified School District salary-by-position information, it would be a stretch that there was a “good faith” reason for administrators to take six months to hand over the documents.

Not until he threatened legal action and his story appeared in the press did it seem that the documents were on their way out.

The district is lucky Ellis never made good on his promise to sue, because the district’s resources would surely have been even more depleted for not meeting state law. It shouldn’t take possible legal action and media inquiries to prompt a simple request.