Committee moves to first reading changes that classify parents' contact information as private data

District staff briefed the ISD 191 Policy Review Committee on proposed updates to Policy 515 (protection and privacy of pupil records), including new language from the recent legislative session classifying parents' personal contact information as private data even if it was previously designated as directory information.

Staff summarized the change as: "a parent's personal contact information must be treated as private data on individuals regardless of whether that contact information was previously designated as directory information under Minnesota statutes." Committee members discussed how to present federal versus state law requirements in the policy and whether the district should adopt the more restrictive approach for public-facing materials such as the student handbook.

Legal counsel and staff agreed to prepare clarified text focused on state requirements and suggested wording for the handbook; committee members asked staff to return with recommended language at the next meeting. The committee advanced Policy 515 to first reading.