Code No. 506.1 Student Record Access

The board recognizes the importance of maintaining student records and preserving their confidentiality. For purposes of this policy and other policies relating to student records, student is defined as an enrolled individual in a pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, including children in school district-sponsored child care programs.

Student records containing personally identifiable information shall be kept confidential at collection, storage, disclosure, and destruction stages. The board secretary is the custodian of student records. Student records may be maintained in the central administration office or administrative office of the student's attendance center.

Parents and eligible students will have access to the student’s records during the regular business hours of the school district. An eligible student is a student who has reached eighteen years of age or is attending an institution of post-secondary education at the post high school level. Parents of an eligible student are provided access to the student records only with the written permission of the eligible student unless the eligible student is defined as a dependent by the Internal Revenue Code. In that case, the parents may be provided access without the written permission of the student. A representative of the parents or eligible student, who has received written permission from the parents or eligible student, may inspect and review a special education student’s records. Parents, other than parents of an eligible student, may be denied access to a student’s records if the school district has a court order stating such or when the district has been advised under the appropriate laws that the parents may not access the student records. Parents may inspect an instrument used for the purpose of collection of student personal information prior to the instrument’s use.

A student record may contain information on more than one student. Parents shall have the right to access the information relating to their student or to be informed of the information. Eligible students will also have the right to access the information relating to themselves or be informed of the information.

Parents and eligible students will have a right to access the student’s records upon request without unnecessary delay and in no instance more than forty-five calendar days after the request is made. Parents, an eligible student or an authorized representative of the parents shall have the right to access the student’s records prior to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting or hearing.

Copies of student records will only be provided if failure to do so would effectively prevent the parents or student from exercising the right to access the student records. Fees for copies of the records shall be waived if it would prevent the parents or student from accessing the records. A fee may not be charged to search or retrieve information from student records.

Upon the request of parents or an eligible student, the school district shall provide an explanation and interpretation of the student records and a list of the types and locations of education records collected, maintained or used by the school district.

If the parents or an eligible student believes the information in the student records is inaccurate, misleading or violates the privacy or other rights of the student, the parents or an eligible student may request that the school district amend the student records. The school district will decide whether to amend the student records within a reasonable time after receipt of the request. If the school district determines an amendment shall be made to the student record, the school district shall make the amendment and inform the parents or the eligible student of the decision in writing.

If the school district determines that amendment of the student's record is not appropriate, it shall inform the parents or the eligible student of their right to a hearing before the hearing officer provided by the school district. If the parents' and the eligible student's request to amend the student record is further denied following the hearing, the parents or the eligible student shall be informed that they have a right to place an explanatory letter in the student record commenting on the school district's decision and setting forth the reasoning for disagreeing with the school district. Additions to the student's records will become a part of the student record and be maintained like other student records. If the school district discloses the student records, the explanation by the parents will also be disclosed.

Student records may be disclosed in limited circumstances without parental or eligible student’s written permission. This disclosure is made on the condition that the student record will not be disclosed to a third party without the written permission of the parents or the eligible student. This disclosure may be made to the following individuals or under the following circumstances:

to school officials within the school district and AEA personnel whom the superintendent has determined to have a legitimate educational interest, including, but not limited to, board members, employees, school attorney, auditor, health professionals, and individuals serving on official school committees;
to officials of another school district in which the student wishes to enroll, provided the other school district notifies the parents the student records are being sent and the parents have an opportunity to receive a copy of the records and challenge the contents of the records unless the annual notification includes a provision that records will automatically be transferred to new school districts;
to authorized representatives of the United States Comptroller General, the United States Secretary of Education, the United States Attorney General, or state and local educational authorities;
in connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received if the information is necessary to receive the financial aid;
to organizations and/or their authorized representatives studies for, or on behalf of, educational agencies or institutions for the purpose of developing, validating or administering predictive tests, administering student aid programs, and improving instruction, if such studies are conducted in such a manner as will not permit the personal identification of students and their parents by persons other than representatives of such organizations and such information will be destroyed when no longer needed for the purpose for which it is conducted;
to accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions;
to parents of a dependent student as defined in the Internal Revenue Code;
to comply with a court order or judicially issued subpoena consistent with an interagency agreement between the school district and juvenile justice agencies;
in connection with a health or safety emergency;
to authorized representatives of the Secretary of Agriculture or authorized representative from the Food and Nutrition Service for the purposes of conducting program monitoring, evaluations, and performance measurements of state and local educational and other agencies and institutions receiving funding for or providing a school lunch program for which the results will be reported in an aggregate form that does not identify any individual, provided that the data collected shall be protected in a manner that will not permit the personal identification of students and their parents to anyone other than those authorized under this paragraph and any personally identifiable data shall be destroyed when the data are no longer needed for program monitoring, evaluations, and performance measurements;
to an agency caseworker or other representative of a state or local child welfare agency or tribal organization authorized to access a student’s case plan when such agency or organization is legally responsible for the care and protection of the student, provided that the education records or the personally identifiable information contained in such records of the student will not be disclosed by such agency or organization, except to an individual or entity engaged in addressing the student’s education needs and authorized by such agency or organization to receive such disclosure and such disclosure is consistent with the state or tribal laws applicable to protecting the confidentiality of a student’s education records; or
as directory information.

The superintendent will keep a list of the individuals and their positions who are authorized to view a special education student’s records without the permission of the parents or the eligible student. Individuals not listed are not allowed access without parental or an eligible student's written permission. This list must be current and available for public inspection and updated as changes occur.

The superintendent will also keep a list of individuals, agencies, and organizations which have requested or obtained access to a student’s records, the date access was given, and their legitimate educational interest or purpose for which they were authorized to view the records. The superintendent, however, does not need to keep a list of the parents, authorized educational employees, officers, and agencies of the school district who have accessed the student's records. This list for a student record may be accessed by the parents, the eligible student, and the custodian of student records.

Permanent student records, including a student’s name, address, phone number, grades, attendance record, classes attended, grade level completed and year completed may be maintained without time limitation. Permanent student records will be kept in a fire-safe vault.

When personally identifiable information, other than permanent student records, no longer needs to be maintained by the school district to provide educational services to a special education student, the parents or eligible student are notified. This notice is normally given after a student graduates or otherwise leaves the school district. If the parents or eligible student request that the personally identifiable information be destroyed, the school district will destroy the records. Prior to the destruction of the records, the school district must inform the parents or eligible student the records may be needed by the parents or eligible student for social security benefits or other purposes. In the absence of parents or an eligible student’s request to destroy the records, the school district must maintain the records for at least three years after an individual is determined to be no longer eligible for special education.

The school district will cooperate with the juvenile justice system in sharing information contained in permanent student records regarding students who have become involved with the juvenile justice system. The school district will enter into an interagency agreement with the juvenile justice agencies involved. The purpose of the agreement shall be to allow for the sharing of information prior to a student's adjudication in order to promote and collaborate between the school district and the agencies to improve school safety, reduce alcohol and illegal drug use, reduce truancy, reduce in-school and out-of-school suspensions, and to support alternatives to in-school and out-of-school suspensions and expulsions which provide structured and well supervised educational programs supplemented by coordinated and appropriate services designed to correct behaviors that lead to truancy, suspension, and expulsions and to support students in successfully completing their education.

The school district may share any information with the agencies contained in a student's permanent record which is directly related to the juvenile justice system's ability to effectively serve the student. Prior to adjudication, information contained in the permanent record may be disclosed by the school district to the parties without parental consent or court order. Information contained in a student's permanent record may be disclosed by the school district to the agencies after adjudication only with parental consent or a court order. Information shared pursuant to the agreement is used solely for determining the programs and services appropriate to the needs of the student or student's family or coordinating the delivery of programs and services to the student or student's family. Information shared under the agreement is not admissible in any court proceedings which take place prior to a disposition hearing, unless written consent is obtained from a student's parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian.

Confidential information shared between the school district and the agencies will remain confidential and will not be shared with any other person, unless otherwise provided by law. Information shared under the agreement is not admissible in any court proceedings which take place prior to a disposition hearing, unless written consent is obtained from a student's parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian. The school district may discontinue information sharing with an agency if the school district determines that the agency has violated the intent or letter of the agreement.

Agencies will contact the principal of the attendance center where the student is currently or was enrolled. The principal will then forward copies of the records within 10 business days of the request.

The school district will provide training or instruction to employees about parents' and eligible students' rights under this policy. Employees will also be informed about the procedures for carrying out this policy.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to annually notify parents and eligible students of their right to inspect and review the student's records. The notice shall be given in a parents' or eligible student's native language. Should the school district collect personal information from students for the purposes of marketing or selling that information, the school district will annually notify parents of such activity.

The notice shall include a statement that the parents have a right to file a complaint alleging the school district failed to comply with this policy. Complaints shall be forwarded to Family Policy Compliance Office, United States Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.

Approved: January 19, 2004

Revised/Reviewed: February 25, 2019

Code No. 506.1E1 Student Record Request Form for Students and Parents

The undersigned hereby requests permission to examine and/or receive copies of the Interstate 35 Community School District's official student records of:

_________________________________________ ______________________________

(Legal Name of Student) (Date of Birth)

The undersigned requests to examine and/or receive copies of the following official student records of the above student:

___________________________________________________________________________

The undersigned certifies that they are the parent and/or legal guardian or of the above student or that they are the above student.

The undersigned (check one):

( ) does want copies of the above-stated student records. I understand that the school district may charge me a reasonable fee for copies.

( ) does not want copies of the above-stated student records.

_________________________________ (Signature)

_________________________________ (Printed Name)

_________________________________(Date)

_________________________________(Address)

_________________________________(City)

_________________________________(State, Zip)

_________________________________(Phone)

Approved:

__________________________________(Signature)

__________________________________(Title)

__________________________________(Date)

Code No. 506.1E2 Student Request Form for Non-Parents

Student Record Request Form for Non-Parents

The undersigned hereby requests permission to examine the Interstate 35 Community School District's official student records of:

__________________________________________

Legal Name of Student Date of Birth

The undersigned requests copies of the following official student records of the above student:

The undersigned certifies that they are (check one):

An official of another school system in which the student intends to enroll.
An authorized representative of the Comptroller General of the United States.
An authorized representative of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education or U.S. Attorney General.
An administrative head of an education agency as defined in Section 408 of the Education Amendments of 1974.
An official of the Iowa Department of Education.
A person connected with the student's application for, or receipt of, financial aid.
A representative of a juvenile justice agency with which Interstate 35 Schools has an interagency agreement.

The undersigned agrees that the information obtained will only be redisclosed consistent with state or federal law without the written permission of the parents of the student, or the student if the student is of majority age.

_________________________________Signature ____________________________Agency

_________________________________Title ____________________________Date

_________________________________Address __________________City _____State

_________________________________Phone

Approved: June 29, 2015

Revised/Reviewed: February 25, 2019

Code No. 506.1E3 Authorization for Release of Student Records

Authorization for Release of Student Records

The undersigned hereby authorizes the Interstate 35 Community School District and any of its agents to release official student records of:

(Full Legal Name of Student) (Date of Birth)

(Name of Last School Attended) (Dates of Attendance)

The undersigned specifically authorizes the release of the following official student records of the above student: (If not records are specified, the undersigned authorized the release of all student records of the above student.)

The reason for the authorization __________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Copies of the records to be released are to be furnished to:

the undersigned
the student
other (please specify) ____________________________________________________

The undersigned has the following relationship to the student:

_________________________________Signature ____________________________Date

_________________________________Address __________________City _____State

_________________________________Phone

Revised/Reviewed: February 25, 2019

Code No. 506.1E4 Notification of Transfer of Student Records

Notification of Transfer of Student Records

To: __________________________________ Date: ________________________

Parent/Legal Guardian

________________________________

_________________________________Address __________________City _____State

Please be notified that we have received a written statement that a student, _______________________________ (full legal name of student), who previously attended _______________________________Community School District, intends to enroll in _______________________________ Community School District.

Please be further notified that the official student records of a student, ______________________________ (full legal name of student), which were previously held by ___________________________________ Community School District, have been transferred to _________________________________ Community School District.

The records may now be accessed by contacting the records custodian at ________________ Community School District.

If you desire a copy of such records furnished, please check here _____, and return this form to the undersigned at ________________________ Community School District. A reasonable charge will be made for the copies.

If you believe such records transferred are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student, you have the right to a hearing to challenge the contents of such records.

______________________________(Signature)

______________________________(Printed Name)

______________________________(Title)

______________________________(Agency)

Revised/Reviewed: February 25, 2019

Code No. 506.1E5 Request for Hearing on Correction of Student Records

Request for Hearing on Correction of Student Records

To:_____________________________________________ Date:_________________________

Board Secretary, Custodian of Records

I believe certain student records of student,_________________________ , (full legal name of student), a student at Interstate 35 Community School District to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s rights under state and federal law.

The student records which I believe are inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student’s rights under state and federal law are:

______________________________________________________________________________

The reason(s) I believe these student records are to be inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student’s rights under state and federal law are:

______________________________________________________________________________

I have the following relationship to the student:________________________________________

I understand that I will be notified in writing of the time and place of the hearing; that I will be notified in writing of the decision; and I have the right to appeal the decision by so notifying the hearing officer in writing within ten (10) days after my receipt of the decision or a right to place a statement in my child's record stating that I disagree with the decision and why.

________________________Signature

________________________Date

________________________Address

________________________City

________________________State, Zip

________________________(Phone Number)

Revised/Reviewed: February 25, 2019

Code No. 506.1E6 Letter to Parent Regarding Receipt of a Subpoena

Letter to Parent Regarding Receipt of a Subpoena

Date__________________________

Dear (_______ Parent________ ):

This letter is to notify you that the Interstate 35 Community School District has received a (subpoena or court order) requesting copies of your child's

permanent records. The specific records requested are____________________________

________________________________________________________________________ .

The school district has until_______ (date on subpoena or court order)_______ to

deliver the documents to______________________ (requesting party on subpoena or court order). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (641) __________

Sincerely,

(Principal or Superintendent)

Revised/Reviewed: February 25, 2019

Code No. 506.1E7 Juvenile Justice Agency Information Sharing Agreement

Juvenile Justice Agency Information Sharing Agreement

Statement of Purpose: The purpose of this agreement is to allow for the sharing of information among the school district and the agencies prior to a student's adjudication in order to promote and collaborate to improve school safety, reduce alcohol and illegal drug use, reduce truancy, reduce in-school and out-of-school suspensions, and to support alternatives to in-school and out-of-school suspensions and expulsions which provide structured and well supervised educational programs supplemented by coordinated and appropriate services designed to correct behaviors that lead to truancy, suspension, and expulsions and to support students in successfully completing their education.

Identification of Agencies: This agreement is between the Interstate 35 Community School District (hereinafter "school district") and _______________(hereinafter “agencies”).

Statutory Authority: This agreement is implemented pursuant to applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

Parameters of Information Exchange:

1. The school district may share any information with the agencies contained in a student's permanent record which is directly related to the juvenile justice system's ability to effectively serve the student.

2. Prior to adjudication information contained in the permanent record may be disclosed by the school district to the agencies without parental consent or court order.

3. Information contained in a student's permanent record may be disclosed by the school district to the agencies after adjudication only with parental consent or a court order.

4. Information shared pursuant to the agreement shall be used solely for determining the programs and services appropriate to the needs of the student or student's family or coordinating the delivery of programs and services to the student or student's family.

5. Information shared under the agreement is not admissible in any court proceedings which take place prior to a disposition hearing, unless written consent is obtained from a student's parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian.

6. Information obtained by the school from other juvenile justice agencies may not be used as the basis for disciplinary action of the student.

7. This agreement only governs a school district's ability to share information and the purposes for which that information can be used. Other agencies are bound by their own respective confidentiality policies.

Records Transmission: The individual requesting the information should contact the principal of the building in which the student is currently enrolled or was enrolled. The principal will forward the records within 10 business days of the request.

Confidentiality: Confidential information shared between the agencies and the school district shall remain confidential and shall not be shared with any other person, unless otherwise provided by law. Information shared under the agreement is not admissible in any court proceedings which take place prior to a disposition hearing, unless written consent is obtained from a student's parent. Agencies or individuals violating the terms of this agreement subject their entity represented and themselves personally to legal action pursuant to federal and state law.

Amendments: This agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the agencies with respect to information sharing. Agencies may be added to this agreement at the discretion of the school district.

Term: This agreement is effective from and after _______________________.

Termination: The school district may discontinue information sharing with an agency if the school district determines that the agency has violated the intent or letter of this agreement.

APPROVED:

________________________Signature

________________________Date

________________________Address

________________________City

________________________State, Zip

________________________(Phone Number)

Revised/Reviewed: February 25, 2019

Code No. 506.1E8 Annual Notice Regarding Student Records

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. They are:

The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the district 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 principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading or in violation of the student's privacy rights.
1. Parents or eligible students may ask the school district to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.
2. If the district decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the district 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.
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
1. 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 district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, AEA employees, medical consultant or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee or student assistance team or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
2. 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.
3. Upon request, the district discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
The right to inform the school district that the parent does not want directory information to be released. Directory information can be released without prior parent consent. Any student over the age of eighteen or parent not wanting this information released to the public must make objection in writing by September 1 to the principal. The objection needs to be renewed annually.
1. “Directory information” includes: name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, e-mail address, grade level, enrollment status, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student, student ID number that is displayed on a student identification card (provided it cannot be solely used to access the student’s educational records), user ID or other unique personal identifier that is displayed on a student identification card (provided it cannot be solely used to access the student’s educational records), photograph and other likeness, and other similar information.
2. Even though student addresses and telephone numbers are not considered directory information in every instance, military recruiters and post-secondary educational institutions may legally access this information without prior parental consent. Parents not wanting military recruiters or post-secondary institutions to access the information must ask the school district to withhold the information. Also, school districts that provide post-secondary institutions and potential employers access to students must provide the same right of access to military recruiters.
The right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office, United States Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.

The school district may share any information with the parties contained in a student's permanent record which is directly related to the juvenile justice system's ability to effectively serve the student. Prior to adjudication, information contained in the permanent record may be disclosed by the school district to the parties without parental consent or court order. Information contained in a student's permanent record may be disclosed by the school district to the parties after adjudication only with parental consent or a court order. Information shared pursuant to the agreement shall be used solely for determining the programs and services appropriate to the needs of the student or student's family or coordinating the delivery of programs and services to the student or student's family. Information shared under the agreement is not admissible in any court proceedings which take place prior to a disposition hearing, unless written consent is obtained from a student's parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian. Information obtained from others shall not be used for the basis of disciplinary action of the student. This agreement only governs a school district's ability to share information and the purposes for which that information can be used.

The purpose for the sharing of information prior to a student's adjudication is to improve school safety, reduce alcohol and illegal drug use, reduce truancy, reduce in-school and out-of-school suspensions, and to support alternatives to in-school and out-of-school suspensions and expulsions which provide structured and well supervised educational programs supplemented by coordinated and appropriate services designed to correct behaviors that lead to truancy, suspension, and expulsions and to support students in successfully completing their education.

The party requesting the information will contact the principal of the building in which the student is currently enrolled or was enrolled. The principal will forward the records within 10 business days of the request.

Confidential information shared between the parties and the school district shall remain confidential and shall not be shared with any other person, unless otherwise provided by law. Information shared under the agreement is not admissible in any court proceedings which take place prior to a disposition hearing, unless written consent is obtained from a student's parent, guardian or legal or actual custodian nor can it be used as the basis for disciplinary action of the student.

Revised/Reviewed: February 25, 2019

Code No. 506.1R1 Use of Student Records Regulation

Student records are all official records, files, and data directly related to students, including all material incorporated into each student’s cumulative record folder and intended for school use or to be available to parties outside the school or school system specifically including, but not necessarily limited to: dates of attendance; academic work completed; level of achievement (grades, standardized test scores); attendance data; scores on standardized intelligence, aptitude, and psychological tests; interest inventory results; health data; family background information; teacher or counselor ratings and observations; and verified reports of serious or recurrent behavior patterns.

The intent of this regulation is to establish procedures for granting requests from parents for access to their child’s records, use of the data, and procedures for its transmittal within forty-five calendar days.

Access to Records
1. The parent or legal guardian of a student will have access to these records upon written request to the board secretary. The parent or legal guardian will have the opportunity to receive an interpretation of the records, have the right to question the data, and, if a difference of opinion is noted, shall be permitted to file a letter in the cumulative folder stating the dissenting person’s position. If further challenge is made to the record, the normal appeal procedures established by school policy will be followed.
2. A student, eighteen years or older, has the right to determine who, outside the school system, has access to the records. Parents of students who are eighteen years or older but still dependents for income tax purposes may access the student’s records without prior permission of the student.
3. School officials having access to student records are defined as having a legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the school district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the school district has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, AEA employee, medical consultant or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as disciplinary or grievance committee or student assistance team or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
Release of Information to External Parties
1. To release student records to other school(s) in which the student intends to enroll, the parents, legal guardian or eligible student must be notified of the transfer and the kinds of information being released unless the school district annually notifies parents that the records will be sent automatically.
2. Student records may be released to official education and other government agencies only if allowed by state or federal law.
3. To release student records to other persons or agencies, written consent shall be given by the parent, legal guardian or a student of majority age. This consent form will state which records shall be released, to whom they shall be released, and the reason for the release. A copy of the specific records being released will be made available to the person signing the release form if requested.
4. Before furnishing student records in compliance with judicial orders or pursuant to any lawfully issued subpoena, the school district will make a reasonable attempt to notify the parents, legal guardian or eligible student in advance.
5. Student records may be shared with juvenile justice agencies with which the school district has an interagency agreement. This information is shared without prior parental consent. The agreement is a public document available for inspection.
Hearing Procedures
1. Upon parental request, the school district will hold a hearing regarding the content of a student's records which the parent believes to be inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the privacy rights of students.
2. The hearing will be held within a reasonable time after receipt of the parent or eligible student's request. The parent or eligible student will receive reasonable advance notice of date, time, and place of the hearing.
3. The hearing officer may be an employee of the school district so long as the employee does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing.
4. The parents or eligible student will be given a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues. The parent or eligible student may be represented by an individual at their choice at their own expense.
5. The hearing officer will render a written decision within a reasonable period after the hearing. The decision will be based upon evidence presented at the hearing and must include a summary of the evidence and the reasons for the decision.
6. The parents may appeal the hearing officer's decision to the superintendent within five calendar days if the superintendent does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing.
7. The parents may appeal the superintendent's decision, or the hearing officer's decision if the superintendent was unable to hear the appeal, to the board within five calendar days. It is within the discretion of the board to hear the appeal.

Approved: November 17, 1997

Revised/Reviewed: February 25, 2019