Student Records
Notice of Parent and Student Rights
Approved 10-14-15
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g
The South Sanpete School District maintains general education records required by law. A student's school records are private and are protected from unauthorized inspection or use. A cumulative record is maintained for each student from the time the student enters the District until the student withdraws or graduates. This record moves with the student from school to school.
By law, both parents, whether married, separated, or divorced, have access to the records of a student who is a minor or a dependent for tax purposes, as do students who are eighteen (18) years of age or older. A parent whose rights have been legally terminated will be denied access to the records if the school is given a copy of the court order terminating these rights.
The Principal is custodian of all records for currently enrolled students at the assigned school. The Superintendent is the custodian of all records for students who have withdrawn or graduated. Records may be reviewed during regular school hours. The record custodian or designee will respond to reasonable requests for explanation and interpretation of the records. The address of the Superintendent's office is: 39 S Main, Manti, Utah 84642.
The addresses of the Principals' offices are:
Ephraim Elementary Gunnison Valley Elementary Manti Elementary
570 South 300 East 550 South 300 East 150 West 100 South
Ephraim, Utah 84627 Gunnison, Utah 84634 Manti, Utah 84642
Ephraim Middle Gunnison Valley Middle
555 South 100 East 271 East 600 South
Ephraim, Utah 84627 Gunnison, Utah 84634
Gunnison Valley High Manti High
35 East 600 South 100 West 500 North
Gunnison, Utah 84634 Manti, Utah 84642
Parents of a minor or a student who is a dependent for tax purposes, the student (if 18 or older), and school officials with legitimate educational interests are the only persons who have general access to a student's records. "School officials with legitimate educational interests" include any employees, agents, or Board Members of the District, or of cooperatives of which the District is a member, or of facilities with which the District contracts for placement of handicapped students. The District may also grant access to a student’s record with attorneys and consultants, who are (1) working with the student or reviewing the student’s case; (2) considering disciplinary or academic actions; (3) examining a handicapped student's individual education plan; (4) compiling statistical data; or (5) investigating or evaluating programs.
Certain other officials from various governmental agencies may have limited access to the records. The District forwards a student's records on request to a school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll without the necessity of the parent's permission. Parental consent is required to release the records to anyone else. When the student reaches eighteen (18) years of age, the right to consent to the release of records transfers to the student.
The parent's or student's right of access to, and copies of, student records does not extend to all records. Materials such as, but not limited to, teachers' personal notes on a student that are shared only with a substitute teacher and records on former students do not have to be made available to the parents or students.
Students over eighteen (18) and parents of minor students may inspect the student's records and request a correction if the records are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy or other rights. If the District refuses the request to amend the records, the requestor has the right to a hearing. If the records are not amended as a result of the hearing, the requestor has 30 school days to exercise the right to place a statement commenting on the information in the student's record. Although improperly recorded grades may be challenged, parents and students are not allowed to contest a student's grade in a course through this process. Parents or students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they feel that the District is not in compliance with the law regarding student records.
Copies of student records are available at a reasonable cost per page within District guidelines, payable in advance. Parents may be denied copies of student's records (1) after the student reaches age eighteen (18) and is no longer a dependent for tax purposes; (2) when the student is attending an institution of post-secondary education; or (3) if the parent fails to follow proper procedures and pay the copying charge. If the student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunches and the parents are unable to view the records during regular school hours, upon written request of the parent, one copy of the record will be provided at no charge.
Certain information about District students is considered directory information. This information will be released to anyone who follows procedures for requesting it, unless the parent objects to the release of any or all directory information about his child. In connection with receiving federal funding, the District is also required by law to provide requesting military recruiters with secondary student names, addresses and telephone numbers unless the parent objects to the release of that information. (The same objection may be used for both general directory information release and release to military recruiters.) This objection must be made in writing to the Principal within ten(10) school days after the issuance of this notice. Directory information includes: a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, awards received in school, and most recent previous school attended.
The District's complete policy regarding student records is available from the Principal's or Superintendent's office.
20 U.S.C. § 1232g(e)
Utah Code § 53A-13-301(1) (2011)
20 U.S.C. § 7908
JOA-1_Student_Records_Notice_of_Parent_and_Student_Rights.pdf