THE FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 (FERPA):
FERPA has created four basic rights for parents or eligible students:
The right of parents and students to be told by their school system of their rights under FERPA. The right to prevent disclosure of personally identifiable information if notified otherwise by parent or eligible student. The right to inspect and review educational records. The right to challenge the content of any educational record, which a parent or eligible student contends is erroneous, and to have certain hearing rights if administrators deny their challenge. Note: Most schools publish photos and/or articles regarding students in the local paper, print a yearbook, display student work w/info in the building, and host a web page, which may display student pictures. Written notification must be provided to the principal by the parent/guardian during the first 10 days of school should they wish to prohibit these functions with their child/children.
It is the policy of the JCBOE not to discriminate based on sex, age, race, handicap, religion, military status, or national origin in the educational programs and activities or admissions to facilities operated by the JCBOE. The Board shall comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments (1972), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964), Title II of Vocational Education Amendments (1976) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973). To insure compliance with this policy, the Superintendent of Schools shall; designate staff to coordinate Title VI, Section 504, Title IX, Sex Equity and other efforts of the system to comply; investigate any complaints of violations with this policy; develop and administer a grievance procedure for personnel and students. The Superintendent shall provide for publication of these policies for all students in Jones County Schools, parents of students, employees of the JCBOE, and interested local groups.
The Jones County Board of Education designates the following information as "directory information." Unless a parent or eligible student makes a timely request to the principal of the school where the student is enrolled that such information not be designated directory information on the individual student, such information will not be considered confidential and may be disclosed upon request.
a. Student's name, address and telephone number; b. Student's participation in official school activities and sports; c. Weight and height of student if he/she is a member of an athletic team; d. Dates of attendance at schools within the Jones County School District; e. Honors and awards received during the time enrolled in the district's schools; f. Photograph; and g. Grade level.
Student records will be forwarded, without further notice to parents/guardians or eligible students, to any school within or outside the Jones County School system upon request of the school where a student is enrolling.
Local units of administration shall not withhold any student record because of nonpayment of fees.
However, schools may withhold report cards, diplomas, or certificates of progress until fees are paid.
To ensure compliance with this policy, the following have been identified as persons to coordinate these programs:
Title I and II Coordinator: Charlotte Foskey Title IX Coordinator: Dr. Trevis Killen Title VI Coordinator/Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Dr. Lauren Sheffield
Any eligible student or any parent whose parental rights have not been specifically revoked by court order, any guardian, or any individual acting as a parent in the absence of a parent or guardian may inspect the education records of his or her child.
Generally, a parent will be permitted to obtain a copy of education records of his child upon reasonable notice and payment of reasonable copying costs.
Each records custodian in the school district shall maintain a record of each request for access to and each disclosure of personally identifiable information from the educational records of a student in accordance with FERPA regulations.
A parent or eligible student who believes his record contains an error may request its correction by submitting a written explanation of the error and the basis for believing it to be in error to the principal or his or her designee, who shall investigate and determine whether to amend the record. If the matter cannot be thus resolved, a parent or eligible student may request a hearing pursuant to federal regulations at 34 C.F.R. § 99.21-99.22 as well as applicable state regulations. If the hearing results in a determination that the record contained erroneous information, it shall be corrected, and the parent or eligible student shall be informed in writing of the correction; if the information contained in the record is determined not to be erroneous, the parent may place a statement in the record commenting upon the contested information and stating the basis for disagreement. The statement shall thereafter be disclosed whenever the portion to which it relates is disclosed.