Policy 506.01

Student Records Access

An accurate cumulative record shall be maintained for every student enrolled in the district. School staff shall maintain student records in compliance with state and federal law. No one but authorized school personnel, parents, and legal guardians shall have access to the cumulative record without a subpoena or the written permission of the student and parent or legal guardian.

School officials may have access to only those education records in which they have a legitimate educational interest, unless the parent has given written and dated consent for the access. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility and effectively provide the function or service for which they are responsible. A school official who violates this restriction shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

To the extent permitted by law, contractors, consultants and volunteers may be permitted to have access to education records where they are performing a function or service that would otherwise be done by a school employee. Their access is limited to education records in which they have a legitimate educational interest; which means records needed to effectively provide the function or service for which they are responsible.

A parent or guardian of a student or former student, and a student or former student who is eighteen (18) years of age or older, shall be given the opportunity upon request to inspect and review the education records of the student or former student. Non-custodial parents will be provided full and equal access to the education records of his or her child unless there is a court order to the contrary on file at the school building.

Written parental objection to the accuracy or authenticity of data recorded in the cumulative record shall become part of the record upon request of the parents.

School officials will forward transcripts from the cumulative record upon request of parents, legal guardians, students, former students, and bona fide educational institutions.

A student, while in school or upon graduation, may sign a statement giving the school permission to release requested information to prospective employers and educational institutions.

Legal Reference:
79-2,104-5, 79-539 Rev. State 42-364, 42-381, 43-3301, 84-1201, 84-1220

Approved: September 14, 1992
Revised: September 12, 1996
Revised: April 10, 2006
Revised: August 11, 2008