Confidentiality when it comes to the schools

[Arthur45]

What is the name of your state? CA

Hi,
I had something happen the other day and would like some advice. I had been going back and forth with a principal at a school trying to get answers to questions. Him and I were communicating through email thoughout the day. To make a long story short, the last email I sent must have gotten under his skin. But what happened was he forwarded my email to his wife for her opinion. The wife DOES NOT work in the school district. And in turn the wife replied thinking she was replying to the husband and the email came to me, which was bashing me and giving the husband advice on not to even bother with a "leunatic". This principal sent communication about my daughter to an outside source, which had alot of personal information about my daughter in it. I'm pretty sure this is not legal is it? I'm livid and just don't know what type of lawyer to seek out. My daughter does have special needs which need to be adressed, yet this sending information about my daughter to unknown sources without my permission is what has me the maddest. I think I should be contacting a lawyer before I talk to anyone else, can someone give me advice?

Thanks

 

[exmilman]

Yes it is illegal

They cannot discuss a childs school needs or anything with an outside person without the parents consent. You can also file a written complaint with

U.S. Dept of Education
Family Policy Compliance Office
600 Independence Ave.
Wash. DC. 20202
(202) 260-3887

 

[JETX]

And now, for the CORRECT answer...
It may, or may NOT, be improper. No one can answer as to specifics without knowing EXACTLY what was 'revealed'.
Go ahead and contact a local attorney if you want. The attorney can review the SPECIFICS of the information.... and advise what options, if any, might be appropriate.

 

[acmb05]

ok

What is the name of your state? CA

Hi,
I had something happen the other day and would like some advice. I had been going back and forth with a principal at a school trying to get answers to questions. Him and I were communicating through email thoughout the day. To make a long story short, the last email I sent must have gotten under his skin. But what happened was he forwarded my email to his wife for her opinion. The wife DOES NOT work in the school district. And in turn the wife replied thinking she was replying to the husband and the email came to me, which was bashing me and giving the husband advice on not to even bother with a "leunatic". This principal sent communication about my daughter to an outside source, which had alot of personal information about my daughter in it. I'm pretty sure this is not legal is it? I'm livid and just don't know what type of lawyer to seek out. My daughter does have special needs which need to be adressed, yet this sending information about my daughter to unknown sources without my permission is what has me the maddest. I think I should be contacting a lawyer before I talk to anyone else, can someone give me advice?

Thanks

did you not see this part. Anyway it does not matter. The principle had a problem with the parent about a student. The principle discussed said problem with wife and forwarded said email with personal information in it. If the childs name is mentioned in that email anywhere he cannot discuss it with his wife.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

did you not see this part. Anyway it does not matter. The principle had a problem with the parent about a student. The principle discussed said problem with wife and forwarded said email with personal information in it. If the childs name is mentioned in that email anywhere he cannot discuss it with his wife.

Really?

And what PERSONAL INFORMATION was discussed? NExt time know what you are saying and what it is based on before answering.

As the post stands, Jet's answer is the ONLY correct one.

 

[acmb05]

A school official

Ok we wait for the poster to answer then.
Was the childs name mentioned?(not that it matters)I reread that part

what was in the email? did it mentioned what the problem was with the child or you?

A school official cannot discuss a student/teacher or parent/teacher or parent/administrator conference, call or, emails with an outside source. Does not really matter what was discussed. The principle discussed with his wife and forwarded an email that was specifically addressing a student and concerns said administrator had with the student and parent.

 

[acmb05]

The Buckley Amendment prohibits schools from disclosing your child's records or any part thereof to anyone without your written consent. The only exceptions are:

1. school officials, including teachers, in the same district with a legitimate educational interest as defined in the school procedures;

2. school officials in the school district to which your child intends to transfer (before the records are sent, however, you will want to review them and challenge their content, if necessary);

3. certain state and national education agencies, if necessary, for enforcing federal laws;

4. anyone to whom a state statute requires the school to report information;

5. accrediting and research organizations helping the school, provided they guarantee confidentiality;

6. student financial aid officials;

7. people who have court orders, provided the school makes reasonable efforts to notify the parent or student before releasing the records;

8. appropriate people in health and safety emergencies such as doctors, nurses, and fire marshals.

With the preceding exceptions, schools must have your permission to release material from your child's records to anyone other than yourself. When requesting release of the records, the school must tell you which records are involved, why they have been requested, and who will receive them. Likewise, if you want someone outside the school system to see your child's records, you will be asked to sign a release granting such permission. All these precautions have been instituted to protect your privacy and that of your child.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

And posting all of this why?

 

[acmb05]

just to show

And posting all of this why?

the principle is violating the law by discussing anything with his wife and for forwarding an email to her.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

the principle is violating the law by discussing anything with his wife and for forwarding an email to her.

Then in that case, the posts were a waste of time because they show NOTHING or the sort.

 

[Arthur45]

Hi,
Okay, yes my daughter's name was in the email. The spouse of the principal referred to her by name, even going as far as saying that she should be put on homeschooling... so that the only person she would be dealing with then was her crazy mother. My daughter has special needs and this is what was being discussed in the email. My phone # and cell phone # were also in the email, my email address. The spouse even went as far to send me an apology later on that night, once it was discovered that her email was sent to me in error.

Then I was called and told that the principal was only human and though it was wrong, it was a husband wife venting session. But talking about me and my daughters concerns which are still not met at this point.

Thanks!!

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Hi,
Okay, yes my daughter's name was in the email. The spouse of the principal referred to her by name, even going as far as saying that she should be put on homeschooling... so that the only person she would be dealing with then was her crazy mother. My daughter has special needs and this is what was being discussed in the email. My phone # and cell phone # were also in the email, my email address. The spouse even went as far to send me an apology later on that night, once it was discovered that her email was sent to me in error.

Then I was called and told that the principal was only human and though it was wrong, it was a husband wife venting session. But talking about me and my daughters concerns which are still not met at this point.

Thanks!!

And those facts alone are not actionable. Now, what is the WHOLE STORY?

 

[Arthur45]

Hi,
I'm reluctant to say everything that was in the email as I'm wondering if I can ruin a case by discussing it online myself. Of course, I don't work for the school district, but I'm just not sure if it's okay to discuss it so thoroughly??

Thanks

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Hi,
I'm reluctant to say everything that was in the email as I'm wondering if I can ruin a case by discussing it online myself. Of course, I don't work for the school district, but I'm just not sure if it's okay to discuss it so thoroughly??

Thanks

If that is the case then take everything you have to a local attorney for a consultation.

Personally, I think you have grounds for censur of the principal but nothing more.

 

[Arthur45]

Those facts are not actionable? I would think the fact that my full days email was sent to an outside source alone would be a huge issue. That is a massive breach of confidentilality. This is crazy. I have no clue who the spouse of this person is. I have no clue who this principal is. I even entrusted this principal as a "safe" person for my daughter to turn to. If nothing can be done about this situation legally then I find it very hard to believe.

I've signed privacy act after privacy act at doctors office, yet, there's no privacy act in the school system? This guy will just get a slap on the hands?
This is crazy.