• Data Privacy Policy Summary

    Federal and state laws guarantee parents and students protection from unwarranted access to a student’s educational records.  Federal rules require schools to annually notify parents and students of the rights afforded them.  This announcement serves the 2018-2019 notice.  For more information, contact Superintendent Patrick Westby.

    The Sauk Centre Schools collect student data and maintain educational records on all students.  These records may contain identifying data, academic grades, attendance, records, test results, psychological reports, student activity participation, communications to parents and other agencies, and other student information.

    PRIVACY RIGHTS:  Educational records which could personally identify a student other than “Directory Information,” may not be released without written permission.  Exceptions are made for access by certain school staff, educational institutions, scholarship and financial aid sponsors, and researchers.

    DIRECTORY INFORMATION:  Directory information is defined to include:  name, address, phone number, date and place of birth, major field of study or courses taken, participation in school activities, weight and height of athletic team members, dates of attendance, grade levels completed, diplomas and awards received, and the names of other educational agencies attended.

    Directory Information can be released without prior consent unless the parent or student requests in writing that such information not be released. Refusal to permit release of Directory Information must be made within 30 days of publication of this notice.

    For public relations reasons, pictures are also considered directory information and may be published unless specifically excluded like other information. This includes pictures for the Memory Book.  Parents must send a note if they do not want their child’s picture in the Memory Book.

    PRIVATE DATA:  Private Data will not be released without consent unless excepted by statute.  The following types of data are considered “private”:  achievement records, grades, test scores, evaluations, and any other content of cumulative or permanent records except that which is specifically identified as Directory Information.

    INSPECTION OF RECORDS:  Parents of students or eligible students who are 18 years old, may request to inspect any of the student’s educational records except those which are classified as “confidential” by federal or state law.  Interested persons may make an appointment with an administrator, present proper identification, and be permitted to inspect records, receive interpretations or explanation, and obtain copies of records within a reasonable waiting period for a reasonable cost.

    CHALLENGE OF RECORDS:  Those who believe that specific information in a student’s record is inaccurate, misleading, incomplete, or violates the privacy rights of the student, may request in writing that the record be amended or corrected.  If the district declines or refuses, the challenge may be addressed to a hearing officer and receive other due process protection.

    TRANSFER OF RECORDS:  The educational records of a student may be transferred to another school in which a student seeks to enroll upon the request of that school.

    DATA COLLECTION RIGHTS:  When asked to supply private or confidential data, the parent or eligible student will be informed of:  (A) the intended purpose and use of the data; (B) whether or not the student may refuse or is legally required to supply the data; (C) any known consequences arising from supplying or refusing to supply the data; and (D) the identity of persons or agencies authorized to receive the data.

    COMPLAINTS FOR NONCOMPLIANCE:  Written complaints of violations of rights afforded them by the Family Education Rights and Practices Act should be sent to: 

    Family Education Rights and Practices Office
    United States Department of Education
    Washington, DC 20201