FOIA Requests

PV relies on the Arizona State Ombudsman for questions and clarifications regarding Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, sometimes referred to as public records requests.

• https://www.azoca.gov/

• https://www.azoca.gov/open-meeting-and-public-records-law/overview/

The Marketing/Communication department redacts the following information from public records requests

• Personally identifiable employee information such as Social Security Number, employee ID, home address, email address, cell phone number, driver license number, and anything that would violate HIPPA.

• Personally identifiable student information such as home address, name, age, student ID number, pronouns, phone numbers, and anything that would violate HIPPA and FERPA.

PV's Parent/Student Handbook yields:

Notice of Directory Information to Parents

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that the Paradise Unified School District, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information Page 11 Rev May 2018 from your child’s education records. However, Paradise Valley Unified School District may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised the school district to the contrary in accordance with Paradise Valley Unified School District procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the school district to include information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include:

A playbill, showing your student’s role in a drama production;

• The annual yearbook;

• Honor roll or other recognition lists;

• Graduation programs; and

• Sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members.

Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings, or publish yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with the following information – names, addresses and telephone listings – unless parents have advised the LEA that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.

If you do not want Paradise Valley Unified School District to disclose any or all of the types of information designated below as directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify your school’s principal in writing by September 10th. The Paradise Valley Unified School District has designated the following information as directory information:

• Student's name

• Address

• Telephone listing

• Electronic mail address

• Date and place of birth

• Major field of study

• Dates of attendance

• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports

• Weight and height of members of athletic teams

• Awards received

Parents are encouraged to contact their school with any questions or concerns about FERPA. Parents also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Paradise Valley Unified School District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are: