The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA-20 USC 1232g) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:

The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate. Parents or eligible students may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. 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.

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School District to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

The name and address of the office that administers FERPA are: Family Policy Compliance Officer, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.

The Board of Education hereby gives notice of its intent to limit the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in a student’s education records except:

1. Where prior written consent of the student’s parent or the eligible student is first obtained;

2. Where the information has been designated as “directory information;” or

3. Under certain limited circumstances permitted by law.

Parents of children enrolled in the Waldron Area Schools District, community members and eligible students may access a copy of the Board Policy 8330 providing for said notification of rights by accessing the District’s website by calling 517-286-6251 and requesting the document.