Annual Parent Notifications

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA-20 USC 1232g) affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are: 

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school 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 school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.  
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate. Parents or eligible students may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested, the school 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. 
3. 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. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. 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. 
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA are: Family Policy Compliance Officer, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605. The Board of Education hereby gives notice of its intent to limit the disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in a student’s education records except: 

• where prior written consent of the student’s parent or the eligible student is first obtained; 
• where the information has been designated as “directory information;” or 
• under certain limited circumstances permitted by law. Parents of children enrolled in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District, community members and eligible students may access a copy of the Board Policy providing for said notification of rights by accessing the District’s website at www.wlcsd.org and clicking on “District” and “Board Policy Manual,” or by calling (248) 956-2000 and requesting the document.

The district outlines non-discrimination policy and complaint procedures in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age of Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, it is the policy of the Walled Lake Consolidated School District that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability, height, weight, political belief, military service or marital status, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination during any program or activity or in employment. For information, contact The Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, District Compliance Officer, Educational Services Center, 850 Ladd Road, Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390 (248-956-2022). 

In the event any student, parent, employee or applicant for employment believes that he/she has been discriminated against because of handicap or in the event he/she believes that discrimination against a handicapped person(s) exists in the administrative policy and/or practice of an educational program, activity or employment relationship supervised or operated by the School District, he/she shall immediately notify in writing  Nicholas Russo, Section 504 Compliance Officer, Educational Services Center, 850 Ladd Road, Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390 (248-956-2022), for the purpose of scheduling a meeting to discuss the complaint. Inquiries concerning equal opportunity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability, height, weight, political belief, military service or marital status should be directed, in writing, to The Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Titles VII and IX Compliance Officer, Educational Services Center, 850 Ladd Road, Bldg. D, Walled Lake, MI 48390 (248-956-2022), for the purpose of scheduling a meeting to discuss the complaint. The meeting shall be held within five (5) working days, unless a later date is mutually agreed upon or good cause requires a later date. 

The complainant shall set forth, in writing, the necessary information (including names, dated subject matter) in order to investigate and process the complaint. Necessary persons or witnesses may also be included at the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to initiate the fact-finding investigation, which shall include the opportunity to interview all necessary persons or witnesses and review all necessary papers and documentation. Within one (1) month from the date of the initial meeting, unless extended by mutual agreement or good cause, the Compliance Officer shall provide a written answer to the complainant. 

The written answer shall set forth a summary of the complaint, his/her findings, conclusions and recommendations. Either the Compliance Officer or the complainant may bring the complaint/written answer to the Board of Education at its next regular meeting. The Board of Education shall review the complaint and the written answer and issue its determination. 

If the complainant believes that he/she still has a complaint or that the complaint has not been adjusted properly, the complainant has the right to file his/her written complaint (with all written answers and determinations) to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington, D.C. 20201.

Title IX Contact Information:

Nicholas Russo
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
850 Ladd Road, Building D
Walled Lake, MI 48390

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 USC 1232h, requires school districts to notify parents and obtain consent or allow parents to opt their child out of participating in certain school activities. These activities include a student survey, analysis or evaluation that concerns one or more of the following eight areas (“protected information surveys”):  

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;  
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family; 
3. Sex behavior or attitudes; 
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;  
5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;  
6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors or ministers;  
7. Religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or parents; or  
8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility. 

This requirement also applies to the collection, disclosure or use of student information for marketing purposes (marketing surveys), and any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law. 

The Walled Lake School District will provide parents, within a reasonable period of time prior to the administration of the surveys and activities, notification of the surveys and activities and be provided an opportunity to opt their child out, as well as an opportunity to review the surveys. 

This notice and consent/opt-out transfers from parents to any student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under State law. 

Parents who believe their rights have been violated with regard to PPRA may file a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-5901.

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools does not carry health or accident insurance for students. If your child is injured while at school, medical costs are the responsibility of the parents and/or guardians.

You can learn more about coverage options for students on our Voluntary Student Accident Insurance webpage.