School student records are confidential and information from them shall not be released other than as provided by law. A school student record is any writing or other recorded information concerning a student and by which a student may be identified individually that is maintained by a school or at its direction or by a school employee, regardless of how or where the information is stored, except as provided in state of federal law as summarized below:

1. Records kept in a staff member’s sole possession.

2. Records maintained by law enforcement officers working in the school. 

3. Video and other electronic recordings (including without limitation, electronic recordings made on school buses) that are created in part for law enforcement, security, or safety reasons or purposes. The content of these recordings may become part of a school student record to the extent school officials create, use, and maintain this content, or it becomes available to them by law enforcement officials, for disciplinary or special education purposes regarding a particular student.

4. Any information, either written or oral, received from law enforcement officials concerning a student less than the age of 17 years who has been arrested or taken into custody for certain 

State and federal law grant students, parent(s)/guardian(s), and when applicable, the Ill. Dept. of Child and Family Services’ Office of Education and Transition Services,  certain rights, including the right to inspect, copy, and /or challenge school student records.  The information contained in school student records shall be kept current, accurate, clear and relevant.  All information maintained concerning a student receiving special education services shall be directly related to the provision of services to that child.  The District will not release directory information although the District can and will release student record information in other situations, including where a parent(s)/guardian(s)  authorizes  release of information,  as outlined in 7:340 AP1 E2 Release of Student Information  to PTA and Using a Photograph or Video Recording of a Student    However, the District will comply with an ex parte court order requiring it to permit the U.S. Attorney General or designee to have access to a student’s school records without notice to, or the consent of, the students’ parent(s)/guardian(s).  Upon request, the District discloses school student records without parent consent to the official’s records custodian of another school district in which a student has enrolled or intends to enroll, as well as to any other person as specifically required or permitted by State or federal law.

The Superintendent shall fully implement and designate an official records custodian for each school who shall maintain and protect the confidentiality of school student records, inform staff members of this policy, and inform students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) of their rights regarding school student records. 

Student Biometric Information Collection 

The Superintendent or designee may recommend a student biometric information collection system solely for the purposes of identification and fraud prevention. Such recommendations shall be consistent with budget requirements and in compliance with State law.  Biometric information means any information that is collected through an identification process for individuals based on their unique behavioral or physiological characteristics, including fingerprint, hand geometry, voice, or facial recognition or iris or retinal scans.

Before collecting student biometric information, the District shall obtain written permission from the person having legal custody or the student (if over the age of 18). Upon a student’s 18th birthday, the District shall obtain written permission from the student to collect student biometric information.  Failure to provide written consent to collect biometric information shall not be the basis for refusal of any services otherwise available to a student.

All collected biometric information shall be stored and transmitted in a manner that protects it from disclosure.  Sale, lease, or other disclosure of biometric information to another person or entity is strictly prohibited. 

The District will discontinue use of a student’s biometric information and destroy all collected biometric information within 30 days after: (1) the student graduates or withdraws from the School District, or (2) the

District receives a written request to discontinue use of biometric information from the person having legal custody of the student or the student (if over the age of 18).  Requests to discontinue using a student’s biometric information shall be forwarded to the Superintendent or designee.

The Superintendent or designee shall develop procedures to implement this policy consistent with State and federal law. 

Records Custodian

LEGAL REF.: 20 U.S.C. §1232g, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act,  34 C.F.R. Part 99.

50 ILCS 205/7.

105 ILCS 5/10-20.21b, 5/20.37, 5/20.40, and 5/14-1.01 et seq.

105 ILCS 10/, Ill. School Student Records Act.

325 ILCS 17/, Children’s Privacy Protection and Parental Empowerment Act.

750 ILCS 5/602.11, Ill. Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.

23 Ill.Admin.Code Parts 226 and 375.

Owasso I.S.D. No. I-011 v. Falvo, 534 U.S. 426 (2002).

Chicago Tribune Co. v. Chicago Bd. of Ed., 332 Ill.App.3d 60 (1st Dist. 2002).

CROSS REF.: 5:100 (Staff Development Program), 5:130 (Responsibilities Concerning Internal Information), 7:15 (Student and Family Privacy Rights), 7:220 (Bus Conduct), 7:345 (Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security)

ADMIN. PROC.: 7:15-E (Notification to Parents of Family Privacy Rights), 7:340-AP1 (School Student Records), 7:340-AP1, E1 (Notice to Parents/Guardians and Students of Their Rights Concerning a Student’s School Records), 7:340-AP1, E3 (Letter to Parents and Eligible Students Concerning Military Recruiters and Postsecondary Institutions Receiving Student Directory Information), 7:340-AP1, E4 (Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Military Recruiter Access to Students and Student Information, 7:340-AP1, E5 (Biometric Information Collection Authorization), 7:340-AP2 (Storage and Destruction of School Student Records), 7:340-AP2, E1 (Schedule for Destruction of School Student Records)

Reviewed: October 18, 2004, February 11, 2013, May 7, 2018, April 23, 2020, January 28, 2021, 

June 20, 2023

Adopted: October 18, 2004

Revisions Adopted: January 24, 2005, February 27, 2006, February 11, 2008, February 25, 2013,