School student records are confidential. Information from them shall not be released other than as provided by law.  A school student record is any writing or other recorded information concerning a student and by which a student may be identified individually that is maintained by a school or at its direction or by a school employee, regardless of how or where the information is stored, except as provided in State or federal law as summarized below:

1. Records kept in a staff member’s sole possession.
2. Records maintained by law enforcement officers working in the school.
3. Video and other electronic recordings (including without limitation, electronic recordings made on school buses) that are created in part for law enforcement, security, or safety reasons or purposes.  The content of these recordings may become part of a school student record to the extent school officials create, use, and maintain this content, or it becomes available to them by law enforcement officials, for disciplinary or special education purposes regarding a particular student.
4. Any information, either written or oral, received from law enforcement officials concerning a student less than the age of 17 years who has been arrested or taken into custody.

State and federal law grant students and parent(s)/guardian(s) certain rights, including the right to inspect, copy, and challenge school student records no later than 15 school days after the receipt of the request.  A reasonable amount, but less than $0.35 per page, may be charged for the copying of school student records, except that no parent or student shall be denied a copy of the school student records for inability to bear the cost of such copying.  The information contained in school student records shall be kept current, accurate, clear and relevant.  All information maintained concerning a student receiving special education services shall be directly related to the provision of services to that child.  The District may release directory information as permitted by law, but a parent/guardian shall have the right to opt-out of the release directory of information regarding their child.   However, the District will comply with an ex parte court order requiring it to permit the U.S. Attorney General or designee to have access to a student’s school records without notice to, or the consent of, the student’s parent/guardian. Upon request, the District discloses school student records without parent consent to the official records custodian of another school in which a student has enrolled or intends to enroll, as well as to any person as specifically required or permitted by State and federal law.

The Superintendent shall fully implement this policy and designate the building principal as the official records custodian for each school who shall maintain and protect the confidentiality of school student records, inform staff members of this policy, and inform students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) of their rights regarding school student records.

The Superintendent or designee shall develop procedures to implement this policy consistent with State and federal law. (See, 7:340-AP1) 

LEGAL REF.:   Chicago Tribune Co. v. Chicago Bd. of Ed., 773 N.E.2d 674 (Ill.App. 1 2002). 
Owasso I.S.D. No. I-011 v. Falvo, 122 S.Ct. 934 (2002).
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. §1232g; 34 C.F.R. Part 99.
Children’s Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act, 325 ILCS 17/.
105 ILCS 5/10-20.21b, 20.37, 20.40, 5/14-1.01 et seq., and 10/.
105 ILCS 85/, Student Online Personal Protection Act
50 ILCS 205/7.
750 ILCS 5/602.11
23 Ill.Admin.Code Parts 226 and 375.

CROSS REF.:  5:100 (Staff Development Program), 5:130 (Responsibilities Concerning Internal Information), 7:15 (Student and Family Privacy Rights), 7:220 (Bus Conduct) 7:345 (Use of Education Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security)

ADOPTED:  November 22, 2004

REVISED:  June 22, 2009
November 19, 2012
December 16, 2013
January 25, 2016
April 15, 2019
September 28, 2020