In response to recent federal and state legislation, the Ripon Area School District has adopted policy and procedures regarding the maintenance and confidentiality of student records. Schools develop and maintain records in the interest of the student for purposes of instruction, guidance and research. Student records are classified into the following three categories: (1) Directory Information, (2) Progress Records, (3) Behavior Records. Generally, student records remain confidential and are not subject to release without the written permission of an adult student or the parents or guardian of a minor student. One notable exception relates to certain types if information included in the directory information category. It is the intent of the Ripon Area School District to make available and release the following personally identifiable information contained in a student’s education record without prior written consent unless the adult student or parent objects to such release.
- The student’s name.
- The student’s photograph.
- The student’s major field of study.
- The student’s participation in officially recognized activities and sports.
- The student’s weight and height if a member of an athletic team.
- The student’s date of enrollment and withdrawal.
- The student’s degrees and awards.
- The name of the school most recently previously attended by the student.
Parents or adult students have two weeks to advise the building principal in writing of any or all of the above items which they refuse to permit the District to release.
The right to privacy and the protection of confidential information is a concern of the Ripon Public Schools. Anyone wishing more information on the student records policy should contact the building principal.
The District forwards records to other schools that have requested the records and in which the student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled, as long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer.
In accordance with Federal and State law, the Board shall release the names, addresses, District assigned e-mail addresses (if available), and telephone listings of secondary students to a recruiting officer for any branch of the United States Armed Forces or an institution of higher education that requests such information unless the secondary school student or parent of the student requests in writing that the student's name, address, District assigned e-mail addresses (if available), and telephone listing not be released without prior consent of the parent(s)/eligible student. The recruiting officer is to sign a form indicating that "any information received by the recruiting officer shall be used solely for the purpose of informing students about military service and shall not be released to any person other than individuals within the recruiting services of the Armed Forces." The Superintendent is authorized to charge mailing fees for providing this information to a recruiting officer.
