August 30, 2023
Dear Concord School District Parent, Guardian, or Student over the age of 18:
In 1974, the Federal Government passed the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA). The intention of this law is to protect the maintenance, accuracy, and privacy of student educational records. Without prior written permission, only parents, legal guardians, authorized school staff, students over the age of 18 or enrolled in a post-secondary education and, in appropriate circumstances, state and federal officials who have a legitimate educational purpose, have access to the educational records of Concord public school students. Under this law and School Board policy #580, parents, legal guardians, and students over 18 or attending post-secondary education are entitled to the following rights:
- The right to inspect and review their student’s educational records;
- The right to seek to correct parts of their student’s record believed to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of student rights; this includes a hearing to present evidence that the records should be changed if the District decides not to alter them according to the parent’s/guardian’s or eligible student’s request;
- The right of any person to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education if the District violates FERPA;
- The right to limit disclosure of information contained in the record, except: (a) by prior written consent of the parent or eligible student; (b) as directory information; or (c) under certain limited circumstance, as permitted by law; and
- The procedure that a student’s parent/guardian or an eligible student should follow to obtain copies of this policy.
As permitted under FERPA, the following information has been designated by the Concord School Board as “directory information.” This permits our schools to use this information without prior written consent after proper notification to students, parents/guardians, and only if it is used to publish student yearbooks, programs for athletic teams, performing groups, and graduation ceremonies, as well as to publicize the academic awards and honors of individual students:
- Students’ name(s), address(es), telephone number(s), and dates of enrollment;
- Parents’/guardians’ name(s) and address(es);
- Students grade levels, enrollment status, and dates of attendance;
- Student photographs;
- Students’ participation in recognized school activities and sports;
- Post-high school plans; and
- Students’ awards and honors received.
If any parent, guardian, or student over the age of 18 or attending a post-secondary school does not want any or all of the items listed above released for the purpose(s) stated, please advise the school Principal in writing prior to the start of the school year.
Board Policy #580 is posted in its entirety on the District website, www.sau8.org. Once on the website, select School Board and scroll down to Policies.
If there are any questions regarding these rights or the policy, please contact your student’s Principal, or the District’s Safety, Compliance, and Title IX Coordinator at (603) 406-1307.
Sincerely,
Kathleen A. Murphy
Superintendent of Concord School District