- About Mrs. Chohlis
- Open Records Request
About Mrs. Chohlis
Ashley Chohlis is a seasoned professional with 28 years of experience in the field of education. Currently serving as the superintendent of Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, a rural district, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Relationships from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a master's degree in educational administration from Texas A&M-Kingsville. In 2014, she completed the superintendent certification program at the University of Texas at Tyler, further enhancing her qualifications.
Known for her dedication and mentorship in the education sector, Ashley is a respected figure who is committed to supporting and guiding individuals in the field. Her involvement in The Holdsworth Center has equipped her with a solid foundation in leadership programs, emphasizing the importance of team building and prioritizing the needs of students above all else. Alongside her husband Shaon, with whom she has shared 19 years of marriage, Ashley is the proud parent of four children who have all benefited from the advantages of public education. Her personal experiences as a parent further inform her professional endeavors, driving her passion for creating positive educational experiences for all students.
Weekly Message from Mrs. Chohlis, Superintendent
Welcome to this week's message from Superintendent Mrs. Chohlis! Mrs. Chohlis shares important updates and news from our school district in this video. You don't want to miss this informative and engaging video, whether you're a student, parent, teacher, or community member. Take some time to watch and learn more about the exciting things happening in our schools. We appreciate your support and look forward to sharing more updates with you. Thank you for tuning in!
A Board Meeting Report from Mrs. Chohlis, Superintendent
Open Records Request
Texas law gives you the right to access government records and government officials may not ask why you want them. All government information is presumed to be available to the public. Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of the information. Governmental bodies shall promptly release requested information that is not confidential by law or information for which an exception to disclosure has been sought.
A written request must be delivered to the officer for public information, or a person designated by the officer by:
- United States mail
- Electronic mail
- Hand delivery
- Any other appropriate method approved by a governmental body, including by facsimile transmission and electronic submission through the governmental body’s internet website.
If a governmental body posts these on its website or its sign, the governmental body is not required to respond to a written request unless the request is received at one of those addresses, by hand delivery, or by a method approved by the governmental body.
Open Records Request Information
- Procedures to Obtain Information
- Rights of Requestors
Procedures to Obtain Information
Submit a written request using our automated form according to a governmental body's reasonable procedures.
Include enough description and detail about the information requested to enable the governmental body to accurately identify and locate the items requested.
Cooperate with the governmental body's reasonable efforts to clarify the type or amount of information requested.
A. Information to be released
You may review it promptly, and if it cannot be produced within 10 working days the public information officer will notify you in writing of the reasonable date and time when it will be available.
Keep appointments to inspect records or pick up copies or risk losing the opportunity to see the information.
Cost of Records
You must respond to any written estimate of charges within 10 days of the date the governmental body sent it or the request may be deemed withdrawn.
If estimated costs exceed $100.00 (or $50.00 if a governmental body has fewer than 16 full-time employees) the governmental body may require a bond, prepayment or deposit.
You may ask the governmental body to determine whether providing the information primarily benefits the general public, resulting in a waiver or reduction of charges.
Make a timely payment for all mutually agreed charges. A governmental body can demand payment of overdue balances exceeding $100.00, or obtain a security deposit, before processing additional requests from you.
B. Information that may be withheld due to an exception
By the 10th business day after you file your request, a governmental body must:
request an Attorney General opinion and state which exceptions apply;
notify the requestor of the referral to the Attorney General; and
notify third parties if the request involves their proprietary information.
Failure to request an AG opinion and notify the requestor within 10 business days will result in a presumption that the information is open unless there is a compelling reason to withhold it.
Requestors may send a letter to the Attorney General arguing for release and may review arguments made by the governmental body.The Attorney General must issue an opinion by the 65th working day from the day you made the request. Governmental bodies must release information determined by the Attorney General to be open or file suit within 30 calendar days, and they may not ask the Attorney General to "reconsider" an opinion.
Rights of Requestors
You have the right to:
- Prompt access to information that is not confidential or otherwise protected;
- Receive treatment equal to all other requestors, including accommodation in accordance with ADA requirements;
- Receive certain kinds of information without exceptions, like the voting record of public officials or information related to the receipt, expenditure or estimated need for public funds, and other items;
- Receive a statement of estimated charges, when charges exceed $40, in advance of work being started and opportunity to renegotiate the request if charges are too high;
- Choose whether to inspect the requested information (most often at no charge), receive copies of the information or both;
- A waiver or reduction of charges if the governmental body determines that access to the information primarily benefits the general public;
- Notice when the governmental body asks the Office of the Attorney General for a ruling on whether the information can be withheld under one of the accepted exceptions;
- Lodge a complaint about charges for public records with the General Services Commission and a complaint related to other possible violations with the county attorney, criminal district attorney, or Office of the Attorney General.
- Responsibilities of Governmental Bodies
All governmental bodies responding to information requests have the responsibility to:
- Establish reasonable procedures for inspecting and copying public information and inform requestors of these procedures;
- Treat all requestors equally, including accommodation in accordance with ADA requirements;
- Be informed about open records laws and educate employees on the requirements of those laws;
- Inform requestors of the estimated charges greater than $40 and any changes in the estimates, and confirm that the requestor agrees in writing to pay the costs before finalizing the request;
- Inform the requestor if the information cannot be provided promptly and establish a date and time to provide it within a reasonable time;
- Ask for a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General regarding any information to be withheld, and inform the requestor of this request for ruling;
- Segregate public information from information that might be withheld and provide that public information promptly;
- Inform third parties if their proprietary information is being requested from the governmental body;
- Respond in writing to all written communications from the General Services Commission or the Office of the Attorney General regarding complaints about violations of the Act.
