4100 - Confidential Communications Policy

Policy 4100

Confidential Communication

Pasco School District officials, employees, and volunteers are expected to maintain confidentiality of student information unless disclosure of the information is allowed or required by law, or required by judicial order. The following expectations are established to assist district employees in making appropriate decisions regarding confidential information and/or communications: 

1. Information contained in a student’s cumulative record, including written and electronic information, is confidential and will only be disclosed to outside parties through the custodian of student records.  Information obtained through the records custodian shall remain confidential and shall be used only for the purpose that its access was granted.  

2. The release of information regarding employees and volunteers is governed by state law, collective bargaining agreements, and district policy.  

3. While certain professionals may have a legally privileged confidential relationship, such as attorney-client communications, school employees, including counselors (except licensed psychologists), do not possess a confidentiality privilege. 

4. A staff member is expected to report information given by a student when there is a reason to believe that a crime has been or will be committed, or when there is reason to believe the health or safety of students or staff is in jeopardy. 

5. School officials may provide designated student directory information to law enforcement agencies, child protective agencies, and health department officials consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, state law, and district policy and procedure.  

6. Staff are prohibited from releasing confidential non-directory student information without written permission from the parent/guardian. This includes inadvertent disclosures of confidential student information in personal and professional communications, including electronic communications and social media. 

 

Cross References: Board Policy 2140                             Guidance and Counseling 

                               Board Policy 2167                             Drug and Alcohol Use/Abuse Program 

                               Board Policy 3423                             Suicide Awareness and Prevention 

                               Board Policy 3600                             Student Records 

                               Board Policy 4340                             Public Access to District Records 

                               Board Policy 5230                             Certificated and Classified  

                                                                                                            Employee Records 

                             Board Policy 3143                              Juvenile Offenders 

                             Board Policy 3421                              Child Abuse Reporting 

                             Board Policy 3208                              Sexual Harassment 

                             Board Policy 3207                               Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation 

                                                                                                                and Bullying 

                            Board Policy 3210                                Nondiscrimination 

                            Board Policy 4350                                Notification of Threats of Violence 

                                                                                                               or Harm 

                           Board Policy 4411                                 District Relationships with Law 

                                                                                                             Enforcement and Other Government 

                                                                                                              Agencies 

 

Legal References: RCW 26.44.030 Reports – Duty to report child abuse 

 

WAC 246-100-071 Duty to report communicable diseases