NEPN/NSBA Code:  JRA-E

NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) provides certain rights to parents and eligible students (18 years of age or older) with respect to the student's education records. They are:

A. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day Lewiston Public Schools receives a request for access. Such requests must be submitted to the Superintendent or building administrator in writing and must identify the record(s) to be inspected. The Superintendent or building administrator will notify the parent/eligible student of the time and place where the record(s) may be inspected. Parents/eligible students may obtain copies of education records at a cost of ten cents ($0.10) per page. 

B. Parents/eligible students may ask Lewiston Public Schools to amend education records they believe are inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student’s right to privacy. Such requests must be submitted to the Superintendent or building administrator in writing, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the Superintendent or building administrator decides not to amend the record as requested, the parent/eligible student will be notified of the decision, their right to request a hearing, and information about the hearing procedure. 

Disclosure of Records 

Lewiston Public Schools must obtain a parent/eligible student’s written consent prior to disclosure of personally identifiable information in education records except in circumstances as permitted by law. 

1. Directory Information 

Lewiston Public Schools designates the following student information as directory information that may be made public at its discretion: name, participation, and grade level of students in officially recognized activities and sports, height and weight of student-athletes, dates of attendance in the school unit, honors and awards received, and photographs and videos relating to school attendance and participation in school activities (except photographs and videos on the Internet). 

Parents/eligible students who do not want Lewiston Public Schools to disclose directory information must notify the Superintendent in writing by September 15th or within thirty (30) days of enrollment, whichever is later.

2. Military Recruiters/Institutions of Higher Education 

Military recruiters and institutions of higher education are entitled to receive the names, addresses and telephone numbers of secondary students and Lewiston Public Schools must comply with any such request, provided that parents have been notified of their right to request that this information not be released without their prior written consent. Parents/eligible students who do not want Lewiston Public Schools to disclose this information must notify the Superintendent in writing by September 15th or within thirty (30) days of enrollment, whichever is later. 

3. School Officials with Legitimate Educational Interests 

Education records may be disclosed to school officials with a “legitimate educational interest.” A school official has a legitimate educational interest if they need to review an education record in order to fulfill their professional responsibility. School officials include persons employed by Lewiston Public Schools as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); members of the School Committee; persons or companies with whom Lewiston Public Schools have contracted to provide specific services (such as attorneys, auditors, medical consultants, evaluators, or therapists); and parents, students, and volunteers serving on an official committee or assisting a school official in performing their professional responsibilities. 

4. Health or Safety Emergencies 

In accordance with federal regulations, Lewiston Public Schools may disclose education records without prior written consent in a health and safety emergency to any person whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. 

5. Other School Units 

As required by Maine law, Lewiston Public Schools send student education records to a school unit to which a student applies for transfer, including disciplinary records, attendance records, special education records, and health records (except for confidential health records for which consent for dissemination has not been obtained). 

6. Other Entities/Individuals 

Education records may be disclosed to other entities and individuals as specifically permitted by law. Parents/eligible students may obtain information about other exceptions to the written consent requirement by request to the Superintendent or building administrator. 

Complaints Regarding Lewiston Public School Compliance with FERPA Parents/eligible students who believe that Lewiston Public Schools have not complied with the requirements of FERPA have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. The office that administers FERPA is: 

Family Policy Compliance Office 

U.S. Department of Education 

400 Maryland Avenue, SW 

Washington, DC 20202 9/2009 

8/2010 

9/2012 

Revised: July 15, 2024