Board counsel reviews FERPA rules; staff outlines student-discipline appeal scheduling and best practices

Virginia Beach ' School Board legal counsel reviewed the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and public procedures for student-discipline appeals at the retreat, advising members on permissible disclosures, directory information opt-outs and the limits on school board members' access to student education records. School Board attorney Cammy Linetti told the board that FERPA governs the confidentiality of education records in all formats and stressed that "education records belong to the school division" with parents or eligible students entitled to access under defined conditions; she warned that board members should not access student files outside formal channels because it can create conflicts if they later must act on a case. Leanne Turnbull, director of the Office of Student Leadership, reviewed appeal logistics and best practices, including packet distribution timelines and the board's expectations: appeal materials are shared 48 hours in advance, members should limit hearings to about 30'45 minutes per case when possible, and scheduling accommodations can allow some committee start times at 1 p.m. to reduce all-day runs. Turnbull said the office processes decisions within 24'48 hours and asked members to route follow-up questions through the office to preserve confidentiality and consistent public records. The board adjusted committee start times and scheduling practices after questions about holidays and panel availability were raised and staff agreed to correct an assignment timing discrepancy noted in the retreat packet. Ending: Counsel and the Office of Student Leadership will update schedules and provide a short survey to members about process improvements; board members were reminded to defer requests for student records to school staff and legal counsel.