Employees of the District may have ongoing opportunities to access confidential information or records that are only available to the public on a limited review basis. Much of the information processed by District employees is confidential, and law governs its release; for example, driver record and vehicle registration information, confidential student records, Social Security Number information, criminal history background check information, information obtained pursuant to Department of Human Services intervention, and professional misconduct background checks.
It is the policy of the Board that employees are prohibited from divulging information contained in the records and files of the District, except to other, authorized employees who have a business need for such information in connection with their duties and to authorized persons in accordance with law, District policies, and administrative rules.
If an employee is approached to provide information inappropriately, the employee must refuse to release the requested information unless authorized by his/her supervisor or otherwise required to release the information under law or court order. In all cases, the employee’s immediate supervisor shall be informed, immediately, of any requests.
Any employee who inappropriately releases information, or uses confidential information obtained in the course of his/her employment with the District for personal reasons or private gain, will be disciplined in accordance with Board policies, collective bargaining agreements, and District procedures. Disciplinary action may include severe penalties, up to, and including, discharge.
The District shall apply the requirements set forth in this policy, equally, to any data processing subcontractor employed. Data processing subcontractors shall, as a condition of their contractual agreement with the District, be required to adopt this, or a similar policy, regarding their own employees.
The Superintendent shall promulgate appropriate administrative rules to help assure the confidentiality of records and, particularly, those records obtained through electronic means.
