3144 - Release of Information Concerning Student Sexual and Kidnapping Offenders

The District recognizes its responsibility for the health and safety of all students, including students required to register as a sex or kidnapping offender enrolled within the District. Therefore, the District will take reasonable precautionary measures in situations where the building principal has been advised by law enforcement or a court that a student required to register as a sex or kidnapping offender is enrolling or is attending a school within the District.

Principal Responsibilities

When a principal receives notice from law enforcement, a court, or the District that a sex or kidnapping offender will be attending the school the principal leads, the principal will provide the information received to every teacher of the student and to any other personnel who, in the judgment of the principal, supervises the student or for security purposes should be aware of the student’s record while consistent with confidentiality considerations stated below.

Collaboration

The principal will work with law enforcement and courts to coordinate the receipt of notifications regarding students registered as sex or kidnapping offenders. The principal or designee will also consult and collaborate with department of corrections, juvenile justice staff, treatment providers, victim support groups, and families, as applicable, when working with students required to register as a sex or kidnapping offender.

Confidentiality

Any information received by a principal or school personnel as a result of a notification is confidential and may not be further disseminated except as provided by the statue for transfer of records (RCW 28A.225.330), other statutes or case law, and the Family and Educational Privacy Rights Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g et. seq.

Any District employee who releases information under RCW 28A.225.330 is immune from civil liability for damages unless it is shown that the District employee acted with gross negligence or in bad faith.

Inquiries by the Public

Inquiries by the public at large (including parents and students) regarding students required to register as a sex or kidnapping offender are to be referred directly to law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies receive relevant information about the release of sex and kidnapping offenders into communities and decide when such information needs to be released to the public.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

All students, including those students required to register as a sex or kidnapping offender, have a constitutional right to a public education. Students required to register as sex or kidnapping offenders are also required to notify law enforcement of their intent to enroll in school.

Written Procedures

The superintendent or his/her designee will adopt written procedures for school principals describing how they will disseminate information received about students who are sex or kidnapping offenders with appropriate school personnel.