The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that governs the maintenance of student education records. Under that law, parents of students, or students themselves if they are at least 18 years of age (“eligible students”), have both the right to inspect education records kept by the school about the student and the right to correct inaccuracies in the record. Access to these records by other than the parents or the student is limited and generally requires prior consent by the parent or the student.

The district has adopted written policies governing all the rights of parents and students under FERPA (see Policy 326 and 327). Copies of these policies may be found in the superintendent’s office and in the principal’s office of each school within the district.

The board of education of the Rio Rancho Public School District No. 94 (RRPS) hereby gives its annual public notice to all parents and eligible students that:

A. RRPS maintains the following education records directly related to students and subject to the limitations on disclosure provided in FERPA:

C. RRPS policy requires that education records be kept to an essential or relevant minimum. Records are reviewed at the end of each school year and non-essential and irrelevant material is deleted.

D. RRPS policy limits the right of access to education records to the persons and circumstances indicated in Paragraph B above. RRPS requires that copies be made available to persons entitled to receive copies. RRPS policy provides that explanations and interpretations of records are available upon reasonable advance notice. Some records, such as standardized test scores and other material of a technical nature, may only be reviewed with a person qualified to interpret and explain such material and records. RRPS policy provides the right to challenge the content of records. If records contain information on more than one student, the right to inspect relates only to that portion of the records concerning the particular student in question.

E. FERPA classifies certain types of information that generally would not be considered to be an invasion of privacy or harmful if released as “student directory information.” Unless the parent or eligible student objects in writing as described below, school officials may release directory information, as defined under RRPS policy, to any person without the consent of the parents or the student. Parents/students who object to the release of any or all of this information without consent must notify, in writing, the principal of the school where the records are kept within fifteen (15) days following the date of the publication of this notice (or the enrollment of the student, if after the beginning of the school year). The objection must state what information the parent or student does not wish released. A form that may be used to file this objection is available at all district schools and at the superintendent’s office. In the absence of timely notice objecting to its release, the listed information will be classified as directory information until the beginning of the next school year.

“Directory information” as defined by RRPS policy includes: the student's name; grade in school; name of school; eligibility and participation in officially recognized activities, including but not limited to fine arts exhibits, performing arts programs, other performances, graduation programs and sports events; weight and height of members of athletic teams; honors and awards received; yearbooks; and identification in visual media, including photographs, videotapes and video images, depicting school programs or activities.

F. Under the provisions of the federal “No Child Left Behind” Act (NCLB), school districts are required to provide student names, addresses, and telephone numbers to military recruiters unless the parent or student (if 18 or over) specifically requests that the information not be released. Parents of students in grades 9-12, or students aged 18 or older, who object to the release of this information are asked to complete a form indicating their objection. If the form is not completed and returned to the student’s school, requests for this information will be honored. Forms are available at all schools serving students in grades 9-12 and should be returned within fifteen (15) days of the beginning of the school year or fifteen (15) days after enrollment.

G. Questions regarding education records shall be directed to the school’s principal or to the district office Custodian of Records at 500 Laser Rd. NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124, 896-0667 ext. 123. Complaints about the failure of RRPS to comply with FERPA may be made, in writing, to FERPA Office, Department of Health and Human Services, 330 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20201.

August 2004
Dr. V. Sue Cleveland
Superintendent