Subject: Notification of Rights Under FERPA for Elementary and Secondary Institutions
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students under 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s educational records. They are:
(1) The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the District receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
(2) The right to request the amendment of student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask the Kittitas School District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the District 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.
(3) 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 concerns. A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. 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. Upon request, the District discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
(4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20202-4605.
Subject: Statement of Nondiscrimination
The Kittitas School District No. 403 complies with all federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap. This holds true for all students interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular activities. Inquiries regarding compliance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX Officer and/or Section 504 Coordinator and/or ADA Compliance Officer. The Title IX Officer, Section 504 Coordinator, and ADA Compliance Officer for the Kittitas School District is Monty Sabin, Supt., Kittitas School District No. 403, P.O. Box 599, Kittitas, WA 98934, (509) 968-3115.
Subject: Annual Asbestos Notification
Asbestos is an issue we have been dealing with for many years. The Kittitas School District has had its facilities inspected by an accredited asbestos inspector as required by law. The inspector located, sampled, and rated the condition and hazard potential of all material in district facilities suspected of containing asbestos. An asbestos management plan has been developed and is on file for your inspection in the district office and in building offices. The Kittitas School District is complying with all federal and state regulations in this area. District contact person regarding this subject is Monty Sabin, Superintendent.
Subject: Release of Directory Information
Federal law permits a school district to identify certain information as “directory information”, which may be publicly released with permission of the parents. Kittitas Public Schools, in District Policy 3250, identifies this information as the following: 1) name, address, telephone number; 2) date and place of birth; 3) major field of study; 4) participation in officially recognized activities and sports; 5) weight and height of athletic teams; 6) dates of attendance; 7) diplomas and awards received; 8 ) most recent school attended; and, 9) photographs and other similar information. If you do not want this information released, please contact the building principal within ten (10) school days of receipt of this notice. If we do not hear from you by that date, we will assume that you have no objection to release of such information. We believe that it is in the student’s best interest to have such information released in school newsletters and community newspapers because of the recognition it gives them. We make every reasonable effort to protect our students privacy. For example, it is our policy not to release information to businesses for commercial purposes or to individuals without good reason. Therefore, most parents do not restrict the release of directory information.
Subject: School Attendance Required
State law requires that we notify you: that parents of any child at least 8 years of age and under 18 years of age shall require such child to attend the public schools of the district in which the child resides. Exceptions to this are: a) children released by the resident district to attend another public or private school; b) children receiving home based instruction; c) children who have been excused from attending school by the district superintendent because they are physically or mentally unable to attend school. Regular attendance is the basis for a solid education. Kittitas School District follows the following guidelines in determining whether an absence is excused:
- Participation in a state, district, or school approved activity.
- Illness, health condition, or medical appointment (medical, dental, optometry etc)
- Family emergency
- Religious purpose
- Court, judicial proceeding or serving on a jury
- College visitation, interview (including scholarship interview)
- Principal and parent mutually agreed upon approved activity
- Absence resulting from disciplinary action
Subject: Tobacco, Substance Abuse and Dangerous Weapons Policies
The use of tobacco products on public school property, including buildings, grounds and vehicles is prohibited. The sale, possession or use of alcoholic beverages, illegal substances or substances purported to be drugs on school grounds or in a reasonable proximity thereto, or at school sponsored events is strictly prohibited. Violators are subject to suspension and/or expulsion. Also, it is a violation of district policy and state law for any person to carry a firearm or dangerous weapon on school premises, school-provided transportation, or areas of other facilities being used exclusively for school activities. Violators of the weapons policy will be expelled for a minimum of one year, will be reported to law enforcement, and parent/guardian will be notified. The superintendent of the school district may modify the expulsion of a student on a case-by-case basis through a formal appeal process.
Subject: Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying
The District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, volunteers and patrons, free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in RCW 9A.36.080(3), (race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or mental or physical disability), or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional written, verbal, or physical act: Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; or, Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; or, Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or, Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. A complete copy of the policy addressing harassment, intimidation, and bullying (Policy 3207) is available in each building office. Parents and students with questions or concerns related to this topic should contact the building principal.