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Privacy Statement

Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 (“District 126”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of students, families, staff, and community members. This Privacy Policy outlines how the District collects, uses, protects, and shares information in compliance with federal and state law and District Board of Education policies.

This policy aligns with the District's Board Policy Manual and applicable Illinois and federal statutes. 

I. Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA)

(105 ILCS 85/27)

The Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA) is Illinois legislation designed to protect the online personal data of students when collected by educational technology providers.

A. Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs)

In accordance with SOPPA:

  • Educational technology vendors that collect or maintain student data must enter into a Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) with District 126.

  • DPAs define:

    • What student data is collected

    • How data is stored and protected

    • Limitations on vendor use of data

    • Data retention and destruction requirements

    • Breach notification procedures

District 126 participates in the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) to streamline compliance and vendor contracting.

A list of current approved vendors and signed DPAs is available on the District website.

B. Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) includes any information that can identify a student, including but not limited to:

  • Name

  • Date of birth

  • Student ID number

  • Parent/guardian contact information

  • Login credentials

  • Educational records

  • Biometric or device-related identifiers (when applicable)

District 126 only shares student information with third-party vendors when legally permitted and contractually protected under SOPPA and Board Policy 7:345.

C. Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach involving student information, District 126 will:

  • Notify affected families within the timeframe required by law

  • Investigate the breach

  • Take corrective action as necessary

SOPPA DPA Status:
At this time, there are no current breaches to report.

II. Parent and Guardian Rights Under SOPPA

Under SOPPA, parents and guardians have the right to:

  • Inspect and review their child’s covered information

  • Request corrections to inaccurate information

  • Request deletion of covered information (subject to legal and educational record retention requirements)

  • Receive a list of operators and online services collecting student data

To exercise these rights, parents/guardians may contact:

Dr. Cheri Bridge
Executive Director of Technology and Innovation
cheri.bridge@zb126.org

Requests must be submitted in writing and will be processed in accordance with SOPPA timelines.

III. Educational Technology Use

District 126 provides access to approved educational applications and online services to enhance instruction and student learning.

All approved applications:

  • Undergo data privacy review

  • Are evaluated for educational purpose

  • Must comply with SOPPA and Board Policy 7:345 – Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security

  • Must align with Board Policy 6:235 – Access to Electronic Networks

A current list of approved educational technology vendors and their DPA status is available on the District website.

IV. Federal Privacy Laws

A. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA protects the privacy of student education records and provides parents and eligible students the right to:

  • Inspect and review education records

  • Request correction of records

  • Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information, except where authorized by law

District 126 complies with FERPA and Board Policy 7:340 – Student Records.

More information about FERPA is available at:
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

B. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

COPPA regulates the collection of personal information from children under 13 by websites, apps, and online services.

When District 126 provides consent on behalf of parents for educational tools, it does so solely for educational purposes and ensures vendors comply with COPPA.

More information about COPPA is available at:
https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule-coppa

C. Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

District 126 complies with CIPA requirements by:

  • Implementing internet filtering technology

  • Blocking access to obscene or harmful material

  • Monitoring online activity on District networks

This aligns with Board Policy 6:235 – Access to Electronic Networks.

More information about CIPA is available at:
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act

V. Additional District Privacy Protections

District privacy practices are further governed by the following Board Policies:

  • 7:15 – Student and Family Privacy Rights

  • 7:340 – Student Records

  • 7:345 – Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security

  • 6:235 – Access to Electronic Networks

  • 2:250 – Access to District Public Records

  • 5:150 – Personnel Records

  • 8:70 – Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities

These policies are available in the District’s Board Policy Manual.

VI. Website Data Collection and Use

When visitors access the District website, certain limited technical data may be collected automatically, including:

  • IP address

  • Browser type

  • Device type

  • Pages visited

  • Referring website

This information is used solely for:

  • Website functionality

  • Security monitoring

  • Analytics and performance improvement

The District does not sell personal information.

VII. Public Records

Public records requests are handled in accordance with:

  • Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

  • Board Policy 2:250 – Access to District Public Records

Certain student and personnel records are confidential under state and federal law and are not subject to disclosure.

VIII. Accessibility and Compliance

District 126 is committed to ensuring digital accessibility in accordance with:

  • WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines

  • Illinois accessibility requirements

  • Board Policy 8:70 – Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities

Any third-party online curriculum made available to students must comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.

IX. Contact Information

For questions regarding this Privacy Policy or student data privacy practices, please contact:

Dr. Cheri Bridge
Executive Director of Technology and Innovation
Zion-Benton Township High School District 126
cheri.bridge@zb126.org