Data Privacy and Security
This site is designed to provide parents with information and processes related to student data privacy and security in accordance with New York State Education Law 2D. This includes the Lake George Data Privacy and Security Policy, the Parent's Bill of Rights, Data Privacy Complaint Process and links to vendor contracts and assurances regarding the responsible use of your student's information.
Quick Links:
Data Protection Officer
John Luthringer, Superintendent of Schools luthringerj@lkgeorge.org
Parent's Bill of Rights
The purpose of the Parents’ Bill of Rights is to provide information to parents, legal guardians, those in parental relation to students and eligible students (age 18 and older) about certain legal requirements that protect personally identifiable (PII) information pursuant to state and federal laws.
Lake George CSD Bill of Rights for Data Privacy & Security
Data Privacy and Security Policy
In January 2020, the NYSED Board of Regents adopted Part 121 of the Commissioner's Regulations for the Strengthening of Data Privacy & Security in NYS Educational Agencies to Protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) pursuant to Education Law sections 2-d, 101, 207, and 305. District and BOCES policies are expected to be adopted no later than October 1, 2020.
The Lake George Central School District policy details specific privacy protections that ensure:
Every use and disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) by Lake George CSD shall benefit students and the district, such as improve academic achievement; advance efficient and effective school operations; empower families and students with information;
Personally identifiable information (PII) shall not be included in public reports or documents;
Parents, legal guardians, and eligible students (students who are age 18 or older) are afforded all the protections, where applicable, under the Family Education Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and the federal regulations for implementing those statuates;
Alignment with the National Institute for Standards & Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework.
Annual training and notification for employees that handle student, teacher and/or principal PII.
Publication of the Lake George data security and privacy policy on its website for its community of stakeholders.
Privacy and Security for Student Data and Teacher and Principal Data Policy
Third Party Vendor Contracts
Lake George CSD may utilize vendors through paid contracted services and/or free services activated through individual user Terms of Service (click wrap) agreements for one or more technology services in the provision of its educational services. These include software, mobile or web applications, and/or web-based services.
For information about vendors that collect, process, store, or analyze personally identifiable student data or teacher/principal evaluation data to support our educational services:
Vendor Privacy Policies and Supplemental Agreements
Inventory of Student Data Collected by the New York State Education Department
As required by New York State Education law Section 2-d, NYSED publishes a list of the data elements that it collects from NYS school districts and the purpose of the data collection.
Complaint Procedures for Unauthorized Data Disclosure / Data Breach
Parents, legal guardians, eligible students (students who are at least 18 years of age or attending a post-secondary institution at any age), principals, teachers, and employees of an educational agency may file a complaint about a possible data breach or improper disclosure of student data and/or protected teacher or principal data.
To submit a complaint, please download & complete the Lake George Unauthorized Data Disclosure/Data Breach Form. Paper forms are also available in the schools' main office.
Completed forms may be submitted by email to the Data Protection Officer, John Luthringer, Superintendent of Schools at luthringerj@lkgeorge.org or forms may be given directly to the principal who will submit the form to Mr. Luthringer.
Mr. Luthringer, or assigned designee, will contact the complainant by phone or email to review the complaint, and initiate an investigation.
Investigations will be completed and finalized in a reasonable amount of time, typically, within 60 calendar days from the receipt of the complaint. In the event the investigation needs to extend beyond 60 days, due to extenuating circumstances, the complainant will be contacted to inform them of the delay and the expected timeline for completion.
Lake George CSD will maintain a record of all complaints of data breaches or unauthorized releases of student/staff data & their disposition in accordance with applicable data retention policies, and report complaint reports & investigations as directed by NYS Ed Law 2d / Part 121 Regulations to the NYSED Chief Privacy Officer.
Federal Laws that protect Student Data:
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) – The foundational federal law on the privacy of students’ educational records, FERPA safeguards student privacy by limiting who may access student records, specifying for what purpose they may access those records, and detailing what rules they have to follow when accessing the data.
Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) – PPRA defines the rules states and school districts must follow when administering tools like surveys, analysis, and evaluations funded by the US Department of Education to students. It requires parental approval to administer many such tools and ensures that school districts have policies in place regarding how the data collected through these tools can be used.
Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA) – COPPA imposes certain requirements on operators of websites, games, mobile apps or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, and on operators of other websites or online services that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information online from a child under 13 years of age.
Family/Parent Resources to learn more about how to protect your child's data
Lake George Data Privacy Team
Megan Coker
Director of Curriculum, Technology, and Innovation
cokerm@lkgeorge.org
(518) 668-5456 ext.1220
Matt Hull
Coordinator of Information Technology
hullm@lkgeorge.org
(518)668-5456 ext.1234