Leavell's tips for successful open records act compliance:
Know exactly what data you need. Tailor specific questionnaires for schools to fill out. Send the letters directly to administrators by name rather than title. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a fax number. Keep a detailed log of each follow-up call you've made to the school, including names of people you talked to, when you called and what they said. Enclose a state attorney general's decision about a similar open records case with each letter.