Galena City School District Privacy Policy
Galena City School District (GCSD) is the parent district of Sidney C. Huntington schools, Galena Interior Learning Academy, IDEA Homeschool and iGrad Alaska. GCSD is devoted to protecting your privacy. Whether you opt in through a GCSD school or program’s website, online form, survey, or other means of electronic communication, we will never collect personal information without your explicit permission. If/when you choose to provide contact information such as your name, e-mail address, phone number, address, or other voluntary comments or feedback, GCSD will not share, re-distribute, nor release any personal data to a third party.
GCSD is committed to keeping personal information private and will only use your information as necessary to fulfill as the purpose designates—or as specifically requested. Additionally, GCSD shall follow Alaska state laws and/or District school board policies referenced below for all enrolled families:
1. As required by NCLB §1061(c)(2)(A): The student privacy policies developed by a district shall provide for reasonable notice of the adoption or continued use of such policies directly to the parents of students enrolled in schools
served by that district. At a minimum, the district shall: a. Provide such notice at least annually, at the beginning of the school year, and within a reasonable period of time after any substantive change in such policies; and b.
Offer an opportunity for the parent to opt the student out of the activity.
2. As required by NCLB §1061(c)(2): All districts shall provide reasonable notice of such existing policies to parents and guardians of students, e.g. “The School Board has adopted and continues to use policies regarding student
privacy, parental access to information, and administration of certain physical examinations to minors. (Copies of those policies are available on request.)” Revised 3/2017 GALENA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Adopted 12/13/1995
This annual notice complies with the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and is based upon the model FERPA notification developed by the federal Family Policy Compliance Office. Language has been added to the federal notice to comply with the following
state laws: AS 14.43.930 requiring annual notice to parents regarding disclosure of student names for purposes of University of Alaska scholarship eligibility; 4 AAC 43.010 requiring disclosure of a student’s eligibility for the
Alaska Performance Scholarship Program; and AS 14.30.745 requiring annual notice to parents of disclosure of student information for purposes of Alaska Military Youth Academy eligibility. NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FERPA FOR ELEMENTARY
AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the School receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the School principal [or appropriate school official]
a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The School official 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 the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA. GALENA CITY SCHOOL
DISTRICT BOARD POLICY MANUAL 335 Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the School to amend a record should write the School principal [or appropriate official], clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and
specify why it should be changed. If the School decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the School 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 provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information from 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 interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member
(including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving on the school board. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the school who performs an institutional service
or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees or who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of personally identifiable information from education records, such as
an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist; a parent or student volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer 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. Other exceptions
for disclosure without consent are detailed in FERPA and Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5125.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the school or district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. A complaint can be filed with: Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-8520 In addition, you are entitled to notice of the following disclosures of student records:GALENA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD POLICY MANUAL 336
1. Upon request, the district discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district or institution of post-secondary education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled, if
the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer.
2. By September 15 of each year, the district will provide to the University of Alaska a list of names and addresses of students in the graduating class who meet scholarship eligibility requirements for each scholarship program.
Release of a student’s name to the University of Alaska will not be made if the parent or eligible student objects. An objection should be made in writing to the school principal.
3. By July 15 of each year, the district will transmit to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development information on each graduating student’s eligibility for the Alaska Performance Scholarship Program. This is a required
disclosure that occurs without consent and without the opportunity to object.
4. By January 15 and July 15 of each year, the district will provide to the Alaska Military Youth Academy, operated by the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, a report containing the name, address, and dates of attendance
of prior students ages 15 through 18 who appear no longer enrolled in any educational institution and who have not received a diploma or GED. Release of a student’s information to the Alaska Military Youth Academy will not be made
if the parent or eligible student objects. An objection should be made in writing to the school principal. Revised 3/2015 GALENA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Adopted 12/13/1995