Initial School Board Response

Read from the bottom up, please.  Once you do, please SHARE the petition, unless their response is "enough for you".

All,

Thank you, Liz, for replying to my concerns, but that is not all there is to say about that. 

The Indiana Code reads clearly the school “shall” (mandatory) keep a copy of the immunization records, and that it “may” (preference – choice) share it with transferring school or to school of higher education.  You have taken the loosest interpretation of the law and it does not protect the rights or the confidentiality of the families and their students. 

A yes / no question… will each of you stand publicly and make a promise that the information currently included in the student Transcript will not be used to form even a partial bias on behalf of the recipient?   Yes, or no?

If you cannot stand publicly and make that promise because, in this political climate, nefarious people will use the immunization record to discriminate against a student, then a simple change in procedure needs to occur.

The immunization record has nothing with the student’s academic prowess.  The student achieves those scores despite a missing arm, leg, regardless the color of their skin, or whatever restrictions or enhancements they have biologically or health wise.  Simply said, there is zero reason to put the immunization record on the transcript.  Zero, except to be able to form an impartial bias.

Let’s remove it and make it the parent’s / student’s responsibility to provide health information to the next school.  Health information is private information.  Let’s err on the side of protecting families’ and students’ personal liberties, freedoms, and choices…. and level the playing field upon entry into the next school. 

We’ll see you at the next Board Meeting.  I do appreciate deeply all of your work on behalf of our children and families.

Sincerely,

Joan Woods

Sent from Mail for Windows

From: Elizabeth Keith
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2022 9:10 AM
To: joanmwoodsindy@gmail.com
Cc: Jon Milleman; Trey Hendrix; Craig Parks; Lisa Hutcheson; Tiffany Jones
Subject: Board Meeting Comments

Good morning, Mrs. Woods,

On behalf of the board, thank you for taking the time to attend our last board meeting and for sharing your concerns with us.

It is our understanding that Mr. O’Rourke has discussed the matter in detail with you and explained the situation. To summarize, schools are not subject to HIPPA rules, we follow FERPA. The inclusion of a students’ vaccination information on their transcript or attached to it is in compliance with Indiana Code.

Thanks again for attending the board meeting. If we can provide any further information, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Liz Keith

President, LCSC Board of Trustees

keithe@leb.k12.in.us