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Privacy

City Schools of Decatur is dedicated to ensuring that every student has access to a safe, stable, and inclusive learning environment. Protecting the privacy of our students and their families is essential to their success and well-being.

  • Protecting Student Information: In accordance with federal and state privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the district maintains strict protocols regarding the collection and disclosure of student data. We do not collect or maintain records that are not related to our educational mission, and we do not disclose student information to third parties without prior parental consent or a valid legal requirement, such as a judicially issued subpoena or court order. In most cases, the district will make every reasonable effort to notify parents or guardians before complying with such a request.
  • Vendor Accountability: CSD relies on numerous vended services to support instruction and school operations. Vendors that request access to sensitive student data to carry out those functions are required to abide by CSD's stringent Student Data Privacy Requirements.
  • Centralized Legal Procedures: To maintain the integrity of the learning environment and ensure all legal matters are handled with the necessary oversight, CSD uses a centralized process for the delivery and execution of legal documents.
    • Service of Process: All subpoenas, custody agreements, warrants, protective orders, court orders, or other legal documents must be served on the Wilson Center rather than on individual school sites.
    • Verification: Our administration and legal counsel review all requests to verify the legal documents’ validity and authority before any information is shared or access is granted.
    • Minimal Disruption: These procedures are designed to ensure that any necessary legal interactions are conducted in a manner that is the least disruptive to student learning and school activities.
  • District Accountability: Under the Georgia Student Data Privacy Accessibility and Transparency Act, parents who believe CSD has carried out a violation of their students' privacy rights can request an investigation and written report of that investigation's findings. The form to initiate such a process is available here.

We remain committed to supporting our families and providing a secure space where all children can focus on their education. For additional resources on student rights and family support, please visit our Student and Family Handbook.