New York State Education Law § 3201-b

Every Student Has the Right to a Free Public Education

The Eldred Central School District is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environment for every student and family.

New York State Education Law § 3201-b protects students’ rights to access a free public education regardless of a student’s or a parent’s actual or perceived immigration status, citizenship status, nationality, or country of origin.

No child may be denied admission, prevented from participating in school programs, or excluded from educational opportunities because of their actual or perceived immigration or citizenship status, or the status of a parent or person in a parental relationship to the student.

The Eldred Central School District welcomes all students and families and is committed to ensuring that every student has equal access to educational programs, services, activities, and opportunities.

Your Rights as a Student and Family

Students and families have the right to:

Attend public school regardless of actual or perceived immigration or citizenship status.
Enroll in school if the student meets New York State requirements for age and residency.
Participate in academic programs, extracurricular activities, athletics, transportation, and other school services for which they are eligible.
Participate in parent engagement activities and school events.
Have student records and personally identifiable information protected.
Receive fair and respectful treatment from all school personnel.
Attend school in an environment free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying.

Enrollment and Registration Information

The Eldred Central School District does not:

Ask students or families about their immigration status or citizenship status unless required by law.
Require families to provide immigration documentation as a condition of enrollment.
Delay or deny enrollment because of a student’s or family member’s actual or perceived immigration status.
Use enrollment practices or procedures that discourage a student from attending school.

Families registering students should provide the required enrollment documentation requested by the District in accordance with New York State Education Law and District registration procedures.

For questions regarding enrollment, please contact the George Ross Elementary School or Junior/Senior High School Registration Office.

Protection of Student Information and Records

The District is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of student information.

Student education records are protected under federal and state privacy laws, including:

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
New York State Education Law § 2-d (Education Technology and Data Privacy)

The District does not disclose student information, including information related to a student’s or family member’s immigration or citizenship status, except when legally authorized or required.

The District will not disclose information to immigration authorities unless required by applicable law, including a valid judicial warrant or court order as outlined in Education Law § 3201-b.

Requests from Immigration Authorities

The Eldred Central School District has established procedures for responding to requests from immigration authorities or other law enforcement agencies.

If an immigration authority requests:

Access to a student;
Access to school property;
Student records or information; or
Information about a student or family member;

the request must be reviewed by designated District personnel before any action is taken.

School employees are not authorized to provide access to students, records, or information outside of established District procedures.

The District’s priority is protecting student safety, maintaining confidentiality, and following all applicable laws.

Student Safety and Emergency Pickup Procedures

Parents and guardians are encouraged to maintain accurate and updated emergency contact information.

If a parent, guardian, or person in a parental relationship is unexpectedly unable to pick up a student, the District will:

Make reasonable efforts to contact individuals authorized by the parent/guardian to pick up the student.
Maintain the student safely at school until an authorized individual arrives.
Follow District procedures to support the student’s safety and well-being.

The District will not contact the New York State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment solely because a parent or guardian is unable to immediately pick up a student, unless required by law after reasonable efforts to contact authorized individuals have been exhausted.

A Safe and Welcoming School Environment

The Eldred Central School District believes every student deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported.

The District prohibits discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, and other characteristics protected by law.

Students and families are encouraged to report concerns regarding discrimination, harassment, bullying, or barriers to educational access.

Questions or Assistance

Families who have questions regarding student enrollment, student records, or protections under New York State Education Law § 3201-b may contact:

Eldred Central School District
Superintendent’s Office
600 Route 55
Eldred, NY 12732

Phone: (845) 456-1010
Website: www.eldred.k12.ny.us

ELDRED CSD VERIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE 2026-27:

ELDRED CSD VERIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE 2026-27

Additional New York State Resources:

Eldred Central School District Helpful Links

New Student Registration Packet

Education Law 2-D

Eldred Parents' Bill of Rights for Data Privacy & Security

New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Immigrant and Newcomer Students
Information regarding student rights, resources, and Education Law § 3201-b implementation:
https://www.nysed.gov/bilingual-ed/immigrant-and-newcomer-students

New York State Education Department

Safeguarding the Rights of Immigrant Students
Guidance and resources for schools and families:
https://www.nysed.gov/student-support-services/new-york-state-guidance-safeguarding-rights-immigrant-students

New York State Education Law § 3201-b

Full text of the law:
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/3201-B

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

U.S. Department of Education information regarding student privacy rights:
https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/ferpa

The Eldred Central School District’s Commitment

The Eldred Central School District is committed to ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality education in a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment.

Every student belongs, every student matters, and every student has the right to learn.