CJ Griffin Quoted in the Montclair Local, “Montclair Schools Withhold Budget Doc in Pattern of OPRA Denials”

CJ Griffin, partner and director of the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C., was recently quoted in Montclair Local article titled, “Montclair Schools Withhold Budget Doc in Pattern of OPRA Denials.” The article discusses how the Montclair Public Schools’ 2025-26 budget hearing is scheduled for May 7, but the public may not see a copy of the $170.2 million preliminary spending plan before then, despite efforts requesting the document from district administrators.

Montclair Public Schools failed to respond to Montclair Local’s New Jersey Open Public Records Act request 16 business days after the filing. Then, on April 16, the district said it requires an extension until April 25.

“It’s alarming that they seem to be ignoring requests for information,” said CJ Griffin. “Seeking the budget shouldn’t even require an OPRA request – it should just be given to a reporter seeking it because it is a quintessential public document. Demanding an OPRA request be filed is unnecessary paperwork, and then they go and ignore the OPRA request on top of that? Budgets should be produced ‘immediately.’ This just shows such disdain for very basic transparency.”

To read the full article in the Montclair Local, click here.