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4040 - Public Access to District Records

Full access to information concerning the administration and operations of the District shall be afforded to the public consistent with the Public Disclosure Law. At the same time, the District desires to preserve the efficient administration of government and acknowledges the privacy rights of individuals whose records may be maintained by the District. This policy and the accompanying procedure are intended to facilitate access to school District records without compromising operational efficiency or privacy rights.

"School District records" include any writing, printing, photocopying, photographing, etc., containing information relating to the conduct of operations and functions of the District which is prepared, owned, used, or retained by the District. “School District records” do not include the personal notes and memoranda of staff, which remains in the sole possession of the maker and which are not generally accessible or revealed to other persons. A "writing" as defined by the Public Records Act means any handwriting, typewriting, printing, photocopying, photographing, or other means of recording any form of communication on representation.

Because of the tremendous volume and diversity of records continuously generated by a public school District, the Board has declared by formal resolution that trying to maintain a current index of all of the District’s records would be impracticable, unduly burdensome, and ultimately interfere with the operational work of the District.

The Public Records Officer will be the point of contact for members of the public who request the disclosure of public records. The Public Records Officer will be trained in the laws and regulations governing the retention and disclosure of records, and shall oversee the District’s compliance with this Regulation and state law.

Adopted:

9/13/1997

Last Revised:

05/5/2023

Related Procedures:

Related Forms:

Cross References:

Regulation:

  • Chapter 5.60 RCW WITNESSES — COMPETENCY
  • Chapter 13.04.155(3) RCW Notification to school principal of conviction, adjudication, or diversion agreement — Provision of information to teachers and other personnel — Confidentiality.
  • Chapter 26.44.010 RCW Declaration of purpose.
  • Chapter 26.44.030(9) RCW Reports — Duty and authority to make — Duty of receiving agency — Duty to notify — Case planning and consultation — Penalty for unauthorized exchange of information — Filing dependency petitions — Investigations — Interviews of children — Records — Risk assessment process.
  • Chapter 28A.605.030 RCW Student education records — Parental review — Release of records — Procedure.
  • Chapter 28A.635.040 RCW Examination questions — Disclosing — Penalty.
  • Chapter 40.14 RCW Preservation and destruction of public records
  • Chapter 42.17A RCW Campaign Disclosure and Contribution
  • Chapter 42.56 RCW Public Records Act
  • WAC 392-172A Rules for the provision of special education
  • Public Law 98-24, Section 527 of the Public Health Services Act, 42 USC 290dd-2
  • 20 U.S.C. 1232g Federal Education Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • 20 U.S.C. 1400 et. seq. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  • 42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(6)
  • 34 CFR Part 300—ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
  • 45 CFR Part 160—164—GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS, ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND SECURITY AND PRIVACY

Management Resources:

  • 2015 - April Policy Issue
  • 2012 - April Issue
  • 2010 - February Issue
  • Policy News, June 2006
  • Policy News, October 2005
  • Washington State Office of the Attorney General – Open Government Training
  • Washington State Office of the Attorney General – Model Rules on Public Disclosure