Policy 5125.1 - Release of Directory Information

Release of Directory Information

The Board of Education recognizes the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of directory information and therefore authorizes the release of such information only in accordance with law, Board policy, and rule.

The Superintendent or designee may authorize the release of student directory information to representatives of the news media, or nonprofit organizations in accordance with Board Policy and rule.

The Superintendent or designee may limit or deny the release of specific categories of directory information to any public or private nonprofit organization based on their determination of the best interests of district students.

Colleges and prospective employers, including military recruiters, shall have access to directory information. Military recruiters shall have access to a student’s name, address, and telephone number, unless the parent/guardian has specified that the information not be released in accordance with law and Board rule.

Under no circumstances shall directory information be disclosed to a private profit-making entity, except for representatives of the news media and prospective employers, in accordance with Board policy. Private schools and colleges may be given the names and addresses of 12th grade students and students who are no longer enrolled provided that they use this information only for purposes directly related to the institution’s academic or professional goals.

Rule 5125.1

Rule Approved 02/16/2010

Directory information means information contained in a student record that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.

Such student information includes:

1. Name
2. Address
3. Telephone number
4. Email address
5. Date of birth
6. Major field of study
7. Participation record in officially recognized activities and sports
8. Weight and height of athletic team members
9. Dates of attendance
10. Degrees and awards received
11. Most recent previous school attended

Directory information does not include a student’s social security number or student identification number. However, directory information may include a student identification number, user identification, or other personal identifier used by the student for purposes of accessing or communicating in electronic systems provided that the identifier cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with a personal identification number, password, or other factor known or possessed only by the authorized use.

Notification to Parents/Guardians

At the beginning of each school year, all parents/guardians shall be notified as to the categories of directory information the district plans to release and the recipients of the information. The notification shall also inform parents/guardians of their right to refuse to let the district designate any or all types of information as directory information and the period of time within which a parent/guardian must notify the district in writing that he/she does not want a certain category of information designated as directory information.

The Superintendent or designee shall notify parents/guardians that they may request that the district not release the name, address, and telephone number of their child to military recruiters, employers, or institutions of higher education without prior written consent.

Parent/Guardian Consent

No directory information of a student identified as a homeless child or youth as defined in 42 USC 11434a shall be released, unless the parent/guardian, or the student if he/she is 18 years old, has provided written consent that directory information may be released.

For any other student, directory information shall not be released regarding any student whose parent/guardian notifies the district in writing that such information not be disclosed without the parent/guardian’s prior consent.

For a former student, the district shall continue to honor any valid request to opt out of the disclosure of directory information made while the student was in attendance at the district, unless the opt-out request has been rescinded.