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Student Records

School student records are confidential and information from them will not be released other than as provided by law.

The school and district routinely disclose “directory” type information without consent. Directory information is limited to: name, address, grade level, birth date and birth place, guardians’ names and address; email addresses and telephone numbers; photographs, videos and digital images used for informational or news-related purposes of a student participating in school or school-sponsored activities, organizations and athletics that appear in school publications such as yearbooks, newspapers or sporting or fine arts programs; academic awards, degrees and honors; information in relation to school-sponsored activities, organizations, and athletics; major field of study; and period of attendance at the school. Any guardian or eligible student (18-years-old or older) may prohibit the release of directory information by delivering a written request to the school principal.

State and Federal law gives guardians and eligible students certain rights with respect to their student records. These rights are:

  • The right to inspect and copy the student’s education records within 10 business days of the day the school receives a request for access. There may be a small charge for copies, not to exceed $.35 per page. This fee will be waived for those unable to afford such cost.
  • The school district may extend the time to respond up to five business days from the original due date for any of the following reasons:
    • The requested records are stored in whole or in part at other locations than the office having charge of the requested records.
    • The request requires the collection of a substantial number of specified records.
    • The request is couched in categorical terms and requires an extensive search for the records responsive to it.
    • The requested records have not been located in the course of routine search and additional efforts are being made to locate them.
    • The request for records cannot be complied with by the school district within 10 business days without unduly burdening or interfering with the operations of the school district.
    • There is a need for consultation, which shall be conducted with all practicable speed, with another public body or school district or among 2 or more components of a public body or school district having a substantial interest in the determination or in the subject matter of the request.
       
  • The district does not withhold a student’s grades, transcripts, or diploma because of an unpaid balance on the student’s school account.

The school district may agree in writing with a student, guardian, or designated representative on a separate timeframe for responding to the request, if the request cannot be completed within the timeframe set for in the law.

  • The right to request the amendment of the portion of the student’s education record that the guardian or eligible student believes is inaccurate, irrelevant, or improper.
  • That no student or guardian can be identified; any person named in a court order; appropriate persons if the knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons; and juvenile authorities when necessary for the discharge of their official duties who request information before adjudication of the student.
  • The right to permit disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that the FERPA or Illinois School Student Records Act authorizes disclosure without consent. Disclosure without consent is permitted without consent in the case of directory information and to school officials with legitimate educational or administrative interests. Disclosure is also permitted without consent to: any person for research, statistical reporting or planning, provided that no student or guardian can be identified; any person named in a court order; appropriate persons if the knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons; juvenile authorities when necessary for the discharge of their official duties who request information before adjudication of the student; and in other cases permitted by law.
  • The right to a copy of any school student record proposed to be destroyed or deleted. The permanent record is maintained for at least 60 years after the student transfers, graduates, or permanently withdraws. The temporary record is maintained for at least 5 years after the student transfers, graduates, or permanently withdraws. Temporary records that may be of assistance to a student with a disability who graduates or permanently withdraws, may, after 5 years, be transferred to the guardian or to the student, if the student has succeeded to the rights of the guardian. Student temporary records are reviewed every 4 years or upon a student’s change in attendance centers, whichever occurs first.
  • The right to prohibit the release of directory information. Throughout the school year, the District may release directory information regarding students, limited to:
    • Name.
    • Address.
    • Grade level.
    • Birth date and place.
    • Guardian names, addresses, electronic mail addresses, and telephone numbers.
    • Photographs, videos, or digital images used for informational or news-related purposes (whether by a media outlet or by the school) of a student participating in school or school-sponsored activities, organizations, and athletics that have appeared in school publications, such as yearbooks, newspapers, or sporting or fine arts programs.
    • Academic awards, degrees, and honors.
    • Information in relation to school-sponsored activities, organizations, and athletics.
    • Major field of study.
    • Period of Attendance in school.

Any guardian or eligible student may prohibit the release of any or all of the above information by delivering a written objection to the building principal within 30 days of the date of this notice.

  • The right contained in this statement: No person may condition the granting or withholding of any right, privilege or benefits or make as a condition of employment, credit, or insurance the securing by any individual of any information from a student’s temporary record which such individual may obtain through the exercise of any right secured under State law.
  • The right to complain to the U.S. Department of Education if the school or district fails to comply with the above. Federal officials can be contacted at:
    • Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605