The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.  FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. 

Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, sports participation (including height and weight of athletes) and dates of attendance unless notified by the parents or eligible student that the school is not to disclose the information without consent.

Procedures for Releasing Student Records (Special Education)

Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) has procedures in place for the acquisition, transfer and retrieval of student record information and maintaining confidentiality of student records. All student records are stored in a locked cabinet to adequately safeguard personally identifiable information. (D.E., 9/88).

School districts requesting records can fax a records request on district/school letterhead to (928) 527-6181.  To receive record information in the timeliest fashion, include an email address to which the records can be sent. All requests are filled based upon the order received.

Parents or guardians must sign a release and present a photo ID before records can be released from FUSD.  In compliance with FERPA, the following people have access to special education student records: 

• Exceptional Student Services Director and Coordinators
• Exceptional Student Services Administrative Support Staff
• Principals/School-Site Designees
• Teachers, as appropriate
• Related Services Staff
• School Psychologists
• Nurses/Health Assistants
• District Administrators
• Members of the Governing Board, when functioning in a judicial capacity
• Due Process Hearing Officer
• District Teacher Specialists and Coaches 
• Special Education Paraprofessionals, under the direction of an immediate supervisor

Questions concerning student records should be directed to the ESS staff listed below:

Students whose last name begins with A – K:  Debbie Kelsey, (928) 527-6170 or dkelsey@fusd1.org.

Students whose last name begins with L – Z:  Liliane Winikka, (928) 527-6182 or lwinikka@fusd1.org.

Destruction of Student Records (Special Education)

In accordance with the state and federal regulations implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this is public notice of Flagstaff Unified School District’s intent to destroy personally identifiable information related to special education services for all students who exited/withdrew from the program prior to January 1, 2016.  These records are scheduled for destruction on June 1, 2022.

The purpose for destruction of the above records is because it has been more than five (5) years since the student has received special education services at FUSD, and they are no longer needed to provide educational services.  Please be advised that the records may be needed by the student or guardian for Social Security benefits or other purposes.

FUSD may maintain a permanent record of a student’s name, address and phone number, grades, attendance record, classes attended, grade level completed, and year completed.

The student or legal guardian may contact Exceptional Student Services to obtain copies of records, following the stated procedures regarding releasing student records (above).   If an eligible student or legal guardian does not respond to this public notice, FUSD will assume consent to destroy the entire special education record specific to the student.

Additional Resources

Arizona Department of Education - FERPA/Student Records