ROCKCASTLE COUNTY SCHOOLS
SCHOOL DISTRICT PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTIFICATION OF FERPA RIGHTS and CHILD FIND
for CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN NEED of SPECIAL EDUCATION or 504 SERVICES
Notification of FERPA Rights
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day the Rockcastle County Schools receives a request for access.
Parents or eligible students who wish to inspect their child’s or their education records should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
Parents or eligible students who wish to ask Rockcastle County Schools to amend their child’s or their education record should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. The criteria for determining who constitutes a school official and what constitutes a legitimate educational interest must be set forth in the school’s or school district’s annual notification for FERPA rights. A school official typically includes a person employed by the school or school district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving on the school board. A school official also may include a volunteer, contractor, or consultant who, while not employed by the school, performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist; a parent or student volunteering to serve on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official typically has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school or school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer. [NOTE: FERPA requires a school or school district to make a reasonable attempt to notify the parent or student of the records request unless it states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request or the disclosure is initiated by the parent or eligible student.]
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the Rockcastle County Schools to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:
Student Privacy Policy Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202
FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the parent or eligible student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in § 99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the parent or eligible student, § 99.32 of the FERPA regulations requires the school to record the disclosure. Parents and eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A school may disclose PII from the education records of a student without obtaining prior written consent of the parents or the eligible student –
To other school officials, including teachers, within the educational agency or institution whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) – (a)(1)(i)(B)(3) are met. (§ 99.31(a)(1))
To officials of another school, school system, or institution of postsecondary education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of § 99.34. (§ 99.31(a)(2))
To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as the State educational agency (SEA) in the parent or eligible student’s State. Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of § 99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf, if applicable requirements are met. (§§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)
In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary for such purposes as to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (§ 99.31(a)(4))
To State and local officials or authorities to whom information is specifically allowed to be reported or disclosed by a State statute that concerns the juvenile justice system and the system’s ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records were released, subject to § 99.38. (§ 99.31(a)(5))
To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction, if applicable requirements are met. (§ 99.31(a)(6))
To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§ 99.31(a)(7))
To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§ 99.31(a)(8))
To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena if applicable requirements are met. (§ 99.31(a)(9))
To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to § 99.36. (§ 99.31(a)(10))
Information the school has designated as “directory information” if applicable requirements under § 99.37 are met. (§ 99.31(a)(11))
To an agency caseworker or other representative of a State or local child welfare agency or tribal organization who is authorized to access a student’s case plan when such agency or organization is legally responsible, in accordance with State or tribal law, for the care and protection of the student in foster care placement. (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1)(L))
To the Secretary of Agriculture or authorized representatives of the Food and Nutrition Service for purposes of conducting program monitoring, evaluations, and performance measurements of programs authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, under certain conditions. (20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1)(K))
Child Find
Educational Records
The Rockcastle County School District keeps educational records in a secure location in each school and Board office.
The Rockcastle County School District obtains written consent from a parent or eligible student (age 18 or who is attending a postsecondary institution), before disclosing personally identifiable information to an entity or individual not authorized to receive it under FERPA.
For students who have been determined eligible for Special Education, educational records will be destroyed at the request of the parents when they are no longer needed to provide educational programs or services. The Rockcastle County School District may destroy the educational records of a child without parent request three years after they are no longer needed to provide educational programs or services. Parents are advised that data contained in the records may later be needed for Social Security benefits or other purposes. The Rockcastle County School District may retain, for an indefinite period of time, a record of the student’s name, address, telephone number, grades, attendance records, classes attended, grade level completed, and year completed.
Eligibility
Children eligible for Special Education include those children with disabilities who have autism, deaf-blindness, developmental delay, emotional-behavior disability, hearing impairment, mental disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, or visual impairment and who because of such an impairment need Special Education services.
Children eligible for 504 services include those children in a public elementary and secondary education program who have a current physical or mental impairment that currently substantially limits some major life activity which causes the student’s ability to access the school environment or school activities to be substantially limited.
Children eligible for the State-Funded Preschool program include three- and four-year-old children identified with disabilities. Preschool children eligible for special education must have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) instead of a 504 plan to receive State-Funded Preschool program services.
The Rockcastle County School District has an ongoing “Child Find” system, which is designed to locate, identify and evaluate any child residing in a home, facility, or residence within its geographical boundaries, age three (3) to twenty-one (21) years, who may have a disability and be in need of Special Education or 504 services. This includes children who are not in school; those who are in public, private, or home school; those who are highly mobile such as children who are migrant or homeless; and those who are advancing from grade to grade, who may need but are not receiving Special Education or 504 services.
The district’s “Child Find” system includes children with disabilities attending private or home schools within the school district boundaries who may need special education services.
The Rockcastle County School District will make sure any child enrolled in its district who qualifies for Special Education or 504 services, regardless of how severe the disability, is provided appropriate Special Education or 504 services at no cost to the parents of the child.
Parents, relatives, public and private agency employees, and concerned citizens are urged to help the Rockcastle County School District find any child who may have a disability and need Special Education or 504 services. The District needs to know the name and age, or date of birth of the child; the name, address, and phone number(s) of the parents or guardian; the possible disability; and other information to determine if Special Education or 504 services are needed.
Letters and phone calls are some of the ways the Rockcastle County School District collects the information needed. The information the school District collects will be used to contact the parents of the child and find out if the child needs to be evaluated or referred for Special Education or 504 services.
If you know of a child who lives within the boundaries of the Rockcastle County School District, who may have a disability, and may need but is not receiving Special Education or 504 services, please call 606-256-2125 or send the information to:
Director of Special Education Section 504 Coordinator
Kayla Jett Cayci Mahaffey
Rockcastle County Schools Rockcastle County Schools
245 Richmond Street 245 Richmond Street
Mt. Vernon, KY 40456 Mt. Vernon, KY 40456
(606) 256-2125 (606) 256-2125
Fax (606) 256-2126 Fax (606) 256-2126
If you know of a child who attends a private or home school within the boundaries of the Rockcastle County School District, who may have a disability, and may need but is not receiving Special Education services, please call 606-256-2125 or send the information to:
Director of Special Education
Kayla Jett
Rockcastle County Schools
245 Richmond Street
Mt. Vernon, KY 40456
(606) 256-2125
Fax (606) 256-2126
“Child Find” activities will continue throughout the school year. As part of these efforts the Rockcastle County School District will use screening information, student records, and basic assessment information it collects on all children in the District to help locate those children who have a disability and need Special Education or 504 services. Any information the District collects through “Child Find” is maintained confidentially.
Written Policies and Procedures have been developed which describe the District’s requirements regarding the confidentiality of personally identifiable information and “Child Find” activities. There are copies in the Principal’s office of each school, and in the Board of Education office. Copies of these Policies and Procedures may be obtained by contacting:
Director of Pupil Personnel
Marcus Reppert
Rockcastle Co. Schools
245 Richmond Street
Mt. Vernon, KY 40456
(606) 256-2125
Fax (606) 256-2126
The District office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Rockcastle County School District provides a public notice in the native language or other mode of communication of the various populations in the geographical boundaries of the District to the extent feasible.
If you know of someone who may need this notice translated to another language, given orally, or delivered in some other manner or mode of communication, please contact the Director of Pupil Personnel, the Director of Special Education or the Section 504 Coordinator at the address or phone number listed above for the Rockcastle County School District.
ANNUAL NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
Students, their families, employees and potential employees of the Rockcastle County School District are hereby notified that the Rockcastle County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, sex or disability in employment, vocational programs offerings, admissions criteria, or activities as set forth in compliance with federal and state statutes and regulations.
Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies should be directed to:
Carrie Ballinger, Superintendent
Rockcastle Co. Schools
245 Richmond Street
Mt. Vernon, KY 40456
(606) 256-2125
Fax (606) 256-2126
For 2026-2027 School Year
4907-7859-5757, v. 1