NOTE: The following instructions do NOT apply to Student Records Requests. Our Student Records Office maintains the records of all students whom have attended the Boise School District. For further information about requesting student record information see the Student Records Office web site here.
How to Request Public Records
In order to best serve the public, all requests to examine or copy public records MUST BE MADE IN WRITING. We will respond to your request within three business days after receiving it in our Public Affairs Office or send you notification that it could take up to 10 days for a response for requests from Idaho residents, and 21 days for requests from nonresidents (beginning July 21, 2024 in accordance with IC 74-103). Please sign all forms transmitted by Fax, Regular Mail, or in Person.
There can be costs associated with the gathering and reproducing of records. The customer must pay the appropriate cost to the Boise School District before the records are distributed. If you have questions concerning the costs involved, please contact the Boise School District’s Public Affairs Office at 854-4064 or [email protected] prior to submitting your request.
Transmit a Public Request Form to our office by one of the following methods:
- A request by letter may be made by sending a completed and signed Public Records Request Form to: Boise School District, Public Affairs Office, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise, ID 83709 Attn: Public Records Request. (Do not use this form when requesting past student transcripts. Click HERE for transcript directions)
- A request by fax may be made by faxing a completed and signed Public Records Request Form to: 208-854-4004.
- A request in person may be made by stopping by Boise School District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise, ID and dropping off a completed and signed Public Records Request Form to the District’s Public Affairs Office.
- A request may be made by sending an email to [email protected] (when emailing, please provide address to determine if records request is from an Idaho resident or a non-resident).
Limitations on the Disclosure of Public Records
While the Boise School District is committed to providing records to the public which we may legally disclose, there are significant limitations on what may be disclosed under both state and federal law. Prior to submitting a public records request, please consider whether federal or Idaho law bars the disclosure of the information you seek. See Boise School Board Policy #4330 Access to Public Records.
Idaho Public Records Law: As to teachers and employees of the District, Idaho law specifically defines what information may be disclosed. The law allows the District to disclose the public service or employment history, classification, pay grade and step, longevity, gross salary and salary history, status, workplace and employing agency. The statute bars disclosure of other information unless the employee waives such right: “All other personnel information relating to a public employee or applicant including, but not limited to, information regarding sex, race, marital status, birth date, home address and telephone number, applications, testing and scoring materials, grievances, correspondence and performance evaluations, shall not be disclosed to the public without the employee's or applicant's written consent.” See Idaho Public Records Law Manual and Idaho Code 74-106.
Idaho Teacher Personnel Files: In addition to limitations on disclosure for all employees of a public agency, there are specific limitations upon disclosure for teachers’ personnel files. Personnel files are required by law to include any and all material relevant to the evaluation of the employee. Idaho law states that “Personnel files are declared to be confidential and excepted from public access under any provision of the Idaho Code.” See Idaho Code 33-518
Student Records are Protected by Federal Law: Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), an educational institution may not disclose the education records or any personally identifiable information contained in the record other than directory information to any third parties without the written consent of the student's parents. 20 U.S.C. § 1232g(b)(1). For purposes of the FERPA, education records are defined as the records, files, documents, and other materials that contain information directly related to a student and are maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a person acting for such agency or institution. 20 U.S.C. § 1232g(a)(4)(A). “Personally identifiable information” specifically includes parent’s names. Please note that FERPA does not bar the disclosure of a student’s records to the parents of the student. For more information about FERPA, see FERPA.
Boise School District Public Affairs Office
8169 W. Victory Rd.
Boise, ID 83709
Phone: (208) 854-4064
Fax: (208) 854-4004