Your family's data

Privacy

What we collect, how we use it, and the rights you and your student have under federal and Minnesota law.

Your privacy rights at a glance

West Central Area School District collects, stores, and uses information about students, families, and employees to operate our schools. Four laws shape how we handle that information:

  • FERPA, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g), protects the privacy of student education records.
  • MGDPA, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stat. Ch. 13), classifies government data and gives you the right to access data about yourself.
  • PPRA, the federal Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (20 U.S.C. § 1232h), governs surveys and certain types of information collection.
  • COPPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (15 U.S.C. § 6501), applies when an online service knowingly collects information from children under thirteen.

The sections below break down each of these and what they mean for your family. The contact information for our Data Practices Compliance Official is at the bottom of the page.

Your rights in detail

How to access or correct your data

You have the right to inspect any record the district holds about you or your minor student, and to request that we correct anything inaccurate.

  1. Submit a written request to the Data Practices Compliance Official below. State what records you want to see and bring photo identification when you arrive.
  2. Inspection appointment. We will arrange a time within ten business days, typically sooner. Inspection is free; copies are billed at the actual cost of reproduction (currently 25 cents per page for paper, no charge for electronic delivery where feasible).
  3. To request a correction, submit a written description of what you believe is inaccurate and what it should be. The district responds in writing within thirty days. If we decline, you may add a written statement of disagreement to the record.

Contacts

Data Practices Compliance Official

Superintendent
c/o Office of the Superintendent
West Central Area School District, ISD 2342
301 County Road #2, Barrett, MN 56311
Phone: 320 · 528 · 7400

Responsible Authority

The Superintendent of West Central Area School District is the Responsible Authority for purposes of Minn. Stat. § 13.02, subd. 16.

Where to file a complaint

  • FERPA: Student Privacy Policy Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington DC 20202.

  • MGDPA: Minnesota Department of Administration, Information Policy Analysis Division: mn.gov/admin/data-practices, 651-296-6733.

  • PPRA: Student Privacy Policy Office, U.S. Department of Education, at the address above.