Open Records Requests
Most of what happens inside our school district is public information by law. The Texas Public Information Act gives any Texan the right to request government records and receive them, usually within ten business days. Schools are no exception.
About Open Records Requests
If there are specific documents or other information that already exist that you would like, request them! Under the Texas Public Information Act, your school district is required to respond to your request.
Things to Remember
- Do not phrase your request as a question.
- The district will not do legal research for you.
- You must request information that already exists, such as reports, menus, nutritional data, contracts, and vendor records.
- You cannot request that information be provided regularly. Each request is a one-time request.
- The district must respond promptly. If it cannot produce the information within 10 business days, it must notify you in writing of the date it will be available.
- If the district believes certain information may be confidential, it must request an Attorney General opinion and notify you within 10 business days of receiving your request. If it fails to do so, the information is presumed to be public.
- There may be a charge for copies. Requests resulting in more than 50 pages may be assessed charges for labor, overhead, and materials. If estimated charges will exceed $40, the district must send you a written itemized statement before beginning work, giving you the opportunity to modify your request. You can also ask the district to waive or reduce fees if the information primarily benefits the general public.
Request Template
I kindly request access to and copies of the following public records maintained by the McAllen ISD Child Nutrition Program (CNP) department:
[Describe the specific documents or data you are requesting. Be as precise as possible — include date ranges, department names, or document types where relevant.]
Time Period Covered: [Specify the time period for which the requested records should cover]
Preferred Format: I respectfully request that responsive records be provided in electronic format (Excel, preferrably) via email where possible. If any records exist only in paper form, I request copies be mailed to the address below.
Fee Waiver Request: I request a waiver of any applicable fees associated with producing these records, as this request is made in the public interest to promote transparency in the use of federal nutrition program funds. If fees cannot be waived and are expected to exceed $40.00, please notify me in advance with an itemized estimate before proceeding.
Please acknowledge receipt of this request and advise of the expected response timeline in accordance with applicable law. If any portion of this request is denied, I respectfully ask that you identify the specific legal basis for each denial and provide access to any non-exempt portions of the requested records.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Fulfilled Requests
Below are the requests the district has fulfilled. For each one, you’ll find the original request text alongside a link to download what we received.
February 3, 2026: Nutrition Labels
Request Text
I would like a copy of the nutrition label for all packaged foods and beverages offered to our students by the district. Please include the snacks that are sold in the snack bars at the middle schools and high schools.
please Include, but not limited to: cereals, bars, chips, desserts, muffins, sandwiches, slushies, etc.
The child nutrition department does a good job publishing CARBOHYDRATE counts, but fails to report the sugar content. We would like to have the whole picture with this information.
thank you!!
February 26, 2026: Breakfast Production, Purchases, Tabulations
Request Text
I respectfully request copies of the following existing records in the possession, custody, or control of the McAllen Independent School District Food & Nutrition Department, Child Nutrition Services Department, or any department, division, warehouse, contractor, or administrative unit responsible for the procurement, ordering, storage, preparation, distribution, or service of food:
1. All existing purchase orders, invoices, bid tabulations, vendor contracts, delivery manifests, warehouse inventory reports, and campus distribution logs reflecting breakfast food items ordered, received, stored, or distributed during the 2025–2026 school year to date.
2. All existing menu production records, forecasting sheets, inventory tracking spreadsheets, warehouse withdrawal records, or similar documents reflecting quantities (by case, unit, or serving count) of each breakfast item shipped or delivered to campuses during the 2025–2026 school year to date.
3. Any existing internal reports, spreadsheets, or documents reflecting the number of servings of each breakfast item prepared or served to students during the 2025–2026 school year to date.
4. Any existing written documents, internal guidelines, item classification sheets, or menu planning documents used to categorize breakfast items (including but not limited to categories such as protein, grain, sweet, savory, or similar classifications).
This request is limited to records already in existence as of the date of this request. No creation of new documents, summaries, compilations, or analysis is requested.
If responsive records exist in electronic format, I request them in their native electronic format.
If any portion of the requested records is considered confidential or exempt, please provide the non-exempt portions and identify the specific statutory basis for any redactions.
Please notify me in advance if the cost to fulfill this request is expected to exceed $40.
March 13, 2026: Food Item Cost, Processed Foods Cost
Request Text
Information Requested: Finance – I am requesting copies of the contracts between the McAllen ISD Child Nutrition Program and their food vendors for the 2025-2026 school year. With this, we would like to see the food items being purchased and their respective costs. Additionally, we are requesting any contracts and food item costs for the 2026-2027 school year.
April 2, 2026: Commodity Entitlements and Processing
Request Text
I kindly request access to and copies of the following public records maintained by the McAllen ISD Child Nutrition Program (CNP) department. These records relate to USDA commodity food processing contracts, associated fees, and related documentation for the current and immediately preceding school years.
Specifically, I am requesting the following records:
- Commodity Processing Contracts
All contracts, agreements, or memoranda of understanding between the district and any approved USDA commodity processors (including but not limited to Tyson Foods, Nardone Brothers, Labatt Food Service, JTM Food Group, and any other processors utilized), covering the current and prior school year.
- Processing Fee Invoices and Statements
All invoices, billing statements, or payment records reflecting per-case, per-pound, or flat-rate processing fees paid to commodity processors for converting raw USDA commodity foods into finished, ready-to-serve products.
- Commodity Entitlement Records
Documentation reflecting the district’s annual USDA commodity entitlement allocation, including total dollar value of entitlement received and how that entitlement was directed among raw commodity receipt and processor diversion.
- Commodity Ordering and Allocation Records
Any orders, selection sheets, or state agency correspondence reflecting which commodity products were ordered, in what quantities, and whether items were designated for direct delivery or processor diversion.
- Expenditure Reports
Any budget reports, financial summaries, or expenditure records that separately identify commodity processing fees as a line item within the CNP department’s food cost accounting.
Time Period Covered: This request covers the current school year (2025–2026) and the immediately preceding school year (2024–2025).
Preferred Format: I respectfully request that responsive records be provided in electronic format (Excel, preferrably) via email where possible. If any records exist only in paper form, I request copies be mailed to the address below.
Fee Waiver Request: I request a waiver of any applicable fees associated with producing these records, as this request is made in the public interest to promote transparency in the use of federal nutrition program funds. If fees cannot be waived and are expected to exceed $40.00, please notify me in advance with an itemized estimate before proceeding.
Please acknowledge receipt of this request and advise of the expected response timeline in accordance with applicable law. If any portion of this request is denied, I respectfully ask that you identify the specific legal basis for each denial and provide access to any non-exempt portions of the requested records.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
April 28, 2026: Production and Donation Records
Request Text
I kindly request access to and copies of the following public records maintained by the McAllen ISD Child Nutrition Program (CNP) department. These records relate to expired and donated food, associated values and costs, and related documents, data, and information from the start of the 2022–2023 school year through the date this request is processed:
1. All records documenting food that was discarded, disposed of, spoiled, or deemed unsalvageable, including but not limited to daily or weekly waste logs, spoilage reports, and end-of-day production records indicating food that was not served or retained, along with any associated dollar values or cost estimates.
2. All records related to food donated to outside organizations, food banks, community partners, or any other recipients, including but not limited to donation logs, receipts, acknowledgment letters, and any internal records or communications used to track or authorize donations, along with any associated dollar values or cost estimates attributed to donated items.
3. All records used to reconcile food inventory, including records showing discrepancies between food received and food served or accounted for.
4. All standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, guidelines, or training materials related to food expiration management, handling of expired or near-expiration food, food recovery, and first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory practices.
5. Any communications — including email, memos, and written correspondence — between CNP staff, campus nutrition managers, and district administration regarding food surplus, waste reduction, food donations, or changes to donation or disposal practices.
6. Any reports, summaries, or analyses submitted to the Texas Department of Agriculture or USDA related to food waste, excess inventory, or food recovery during this period.
Time Period Covered: This request covers the period from the start of the 2022–2023 school year until the date of this request.
Preferred Format: I respectfully request that responsive records be provided in electronic format (Excel, preferably) via email where possible. If any records exist only in paper form, I request copies be mailed to the address below.
Fee Waiver Request: I request a waiver of any applicable fees associated with producing these records, as this request is made in the public interest to promote transparency in the use of federal nutrition program funds. If fees cannot be waived and are expected to exceed $40.00, please notify me in advance with an itemized estimate before proceeding.
Please acknowledge receipt of this request and advise of the expected response timeline in accordance with applicable law.
If any portion of this request is denied, I respectfully ask that you identify the specific legal basis for each denial and provide access to any non-exempt portions of the requested records.