Mr. McElhaney, a father of a softball player, texted the coach after his daughter was benched midway through the season. The text messages criticized his coaching ability and decisions. The coach, believing Mr. McElhaney had violated team policy which prohibited parents from talking to coaches about playing time, forwarded the messages to the principal.

Official government business (see definition above), whether stored on a personal device or government device, is subject to TPRA. However, personal messages, even if on a government email account are not subject to public records request. So, what are districts to do with mixed messages. In short, the entity can redact the personal communications and produce that which is “concerning government business”.