Safe Schools

Missing Children

Published: 10/14/2024 10:19 AM

Per KRS 156.495 and KRS 158.032, a missing student’s educational records in Infinite Campus (IC) will be automatically flagged when the Kentucky State Police notifies the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE). It is imperative that principals ensure all appropriate school and district personnel are aware of the situation and that they comply with the stipulations of the statutes. They must immediately report to local law enforcement or the Kentucky State Police if any of the following occurs: someone in the school knows of the student’s whereabouts; the identified student is currently present at the school; or an individual or a school requests the student’s records.

If a school notified is not the student’s last known school of enrollment, please contact our office at (502) 564-4772 immediately to ensure the correct school/principal can be notified. Please note that IC will automatically end-date the flag when KDE receives notification that a missing student is located. 

​The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA​​) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. However, FERPA is not intended to be an obstacle in addressing emergences and protecting the safety of students. Missing Children and runaways should be considered as an emergency situation, and school officials should contact law enforcement immediately if any of the three above situations occur. The U.S. Department of Education has provided additional guidance on FERPA and the Disclosure of Student Information Related Emergencies or Disasters.

Please ensure that the principal email address is kept current in IC to ensure Missing Children Notifications from KDE are directed to the appropriate personnel.  Additionally, a process alert will be sent to all members of the Missing Child User Group with calendar rights to the school(s) of the missing student. Schools and districts can reference the Missing Child Process and Procedures document to prepare and maintain.

Related Statutes 

KRS 156.495 - Program to identify and locate missing children enrolled in Kentucky schools

KRS 158.032 - Flagging record of missing child -- Procedure upon recovery -- Documents required upon enrollment or transfer

Related Resources  

Doug Roberts

Office of Continuous Improvement and Support

Division of Student Success

300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor

Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 564-4772 

Fax (502) 564-7820

Doug.Roberts@education.ky.gov

 


Blake Konny

Office of Continuous Improvement and Support

Division of Student Success

300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor

Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 564-4772 

Fax (502) 564-7820

Blake.Konny@education.ky.gov



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