Last modified: December 1, 2023

Policy No. 3228 Student Confidential Communications

• Download Policy 3228 Student confidential Communications

The Provo City School District Board of Education understands the sensitivity required to handle information that is shared in confidence. All employees of Provo City School District must use his/her best professional judgment when handling information received from a student in confidence. When receiving such information, employees shall advise students of their limitations and restrictions regarding confidentiality. Whenever possible, the student shall be encouraged to disclose any confidences to his/her parent(s)/guardian(s). Information received may be deemed necessary to share with other administrators or outside agencies.

The following guidelines are provided to employees to assist in making appropriate decisionsregarding confidential information and/or communication.

1. Information held in a student’s cumulative record is confidential. It is only accessible to the administrator of student records. Any information received from the administrator of student records shall remain confidential and shall only be used for the purpose for which the access was granted.
2. Utah state law requires that school district staff members, including counselors, do not possess a confidentiality privilege. For example, the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must be notified if the student threatens to commit suicide. Also, parent(s)/guardian(s) of each student involved in an incident of bullying, cyber bullying, harassment, hazing, or retaliation will also be notified whether they are the victim or the perpetrator.
3. Employees are expected to reveal any information given by a student that suggests there is a reasonable likelihood of a crime being committed (e.g. child abuse, distribution and/or possession of drugs, physical violence, gang activity, vandalism, etc.)
4. If a teacher has reason to believe that a student at their school has committed anillegal act, he/she shall report that to their school administrator. Upon receiving such information, the school administrator shall immediately notify the student’s parent(s)/ guardian(s) and any appropriate law enforcement agency or official.
5. If district officials determine there is a threat to the health or safety of a student or other person, confidential information may be shared with any appropriate parties as allowed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and state law.
6. Students who are 18 years of age or older, as well as students who become legally emancipated after the age of 16, are to be considered adults and will act on their own accord as it relates to matters of confidentiality.
7. Professional judgment should be exercised regarding the sharing of information given by a student.

Legal References and Synopsis:

• Utah Code 53G-8-501
  • Substance Abuse Reporting and Weapons Notification-Definitions
• Utah Code 53G-8-502
  • Mandatory Reporting of Prohibited Acts
• Utah Code 53G-8-503
  • Reporting Procedure
• Utah Code 53G-8-506
  • Reporting of Prohibited Acts Affecting a School Confidentiality
• Utah Code 62A.4a.412
  • Access to Private, Controlled and Protected Documents
• Utah Code 63G.2.202
  • Reports and Information Confidential
• Utah Code 53A-11a-203
  • Parent/Guardian Notification of Certain Incidents and Threats Required

Approved by Board of Education

• October 14, 2014

Procedures and Forms

• 3228 Procedure 1 Preferred Student Name and/or Gender Identity Change Request Procedures
• 3228 Form 1 Preferred Student Name and/or Gender Identity Change Request Form