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Public Records Requests

Public Records Requests

Submit a Public Records Request

All records maintained by the Chehalis School District are available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.  Please use the following link to submit a Public Records Request:

Chehalis School District Public Records Request

Public Records Requests Frequently Asked Question

  • In Washington State, RCW 42.56 lays out how public records requests must be made and handled. The Secretary of State’s office offers a really great resource to help you craft a public records request that gets you the records you want at THIS LINK.

    Here are some things to remember when you are making a request for public records:

    • Our Public Records Index below is a list of many of our available records and links to any of those records that are available on our website. It would be helpful to look through the index before making a public records request to verify that the record you are looking for is not already publically available to you.
    • Your request must identify a kind of record you want us to search for (emails, files, video recordings). We cannot answer a question. We need you to identify a record that will answer your question.
    • It is helpful if you can be as descriptive as possible when making your request. Information such as time, date, location, names of those involved and description of the incident or issue can help us understand where to look for the most responsive records. If we ask you clarifying questions, it is to better understand what records we need to find for you.
    • If you want us to search for emails, our system requires search terms and a date range. For the quickest response, please include these in your original request.
    • If we have a record that fulfils your request and it is a public record, you will receive it. If only part of the document is public, we will redact it and you will receive what we can produce and an explanation of what kinds of information was redacted and why. 
    • If you are a parent in our district, only YOUR student’s record is open to you. We will not release the names, student record documents or identifying information of any student to anyone who is not their parent or legal guardian. If you request a video involving your student, understand that the identities of all students except your own will be redacted. We will do our best for the redaction to not interfere with your ability to view the incident but our protection of our students’ right to privacy under FERPA (you can read about FERPA at THIS LINK) comes first
  • The process and laws the Chehalis School District follows when responding to a public records request are outlined in RCW 42.56.520 found at THIS LINK. In short, after the request reaches the Public Records Officer:

    Within five (5) business days of receiving your public records request, we will respond in one of the following ways:

    • Provide the records
    • Provide a reasonable estimate of the time necessary to respond to the request
    • Ask questions to clarify the request
    • Deny the request and cite why it was denied

    If the record requested contains information exempt from disclosure, the district will produce as much of the record as possible with the exempt portions redacted and include a written explanation of the redaction.

  • You can request a copy of your W.F. West High School Transcript by following the link below:

    W.F. West High School Transcript Request

  • You can request a copy of your Chehalis Middle School Transcript by filling out the form found at THIS LINK.

  • Retention Notification

    Pursuant to WAC 392-172A-05235 and the Office of the Secretary of State for Washington State, the Chehalis School District retains special education records, including IEPs, evaluations, and 504 plans, for six years from separation of services. If a student has not received special education or 504 services from Chehalis School District in more than six years, the records are no longer available. CLICK HERE to read more about Destruction of Special Education records.

    Special Education Records

    In accordance to WAC-392-172A-05235 and RCW 28A.155.090 and U.S.C. 1400, Chehalis School District is hereby notifying any student, or former student that has reached 18 years of age or legal guardian of said student, that they may review and/or receive the records by completing a request form found at THIS LINK.

  • Employment verification requests can be made by calling the Chehalis School District office at (360) 807-7200.

Public Records Index

The list below includes some of the publications, manuals, reports, policies, procedures and other public records held by the Chehalis School District. If the publication is not available online, you may request a copy by sending and email to communications@chehalisschools.org. Some public records, such as student records for a child who is not yours or certain personnel file information, may be exempt from release in some situations.

  • Absence (Student) – Grades K-8 – Retained for 4 years

    Absence (Student) – Grades 9-12 – Retained for 1 year

    Attendance – Retained for 4 years

    Attendance – School-Sponsored Activities, Events and Programs – Retained for 6 years

    Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) documentation – Retained for 5 years

    Chehalis Middle School Course Guide

    Chehalis School District Health Curriculum

    Course Additions, Deletions, and Changes – Retained for 4 years

    Course Description Catalog

    Curriculum Requests/Waivers/Substitutions – Retained for 5 years

    Curriculum Summaries and Guides

    Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR) – Program Files

    Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR) – Program Results

    Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR) – Individual Reports

    General Educational Development (GED) Test – Eligibility

    Grade Documentation – Elementary – Retained for 1 year

    Grade Documentation – Secondary – Retained for 5 years

    Graduation Requirements

    Home/Hospital Tutoring – Retained for 6 years

    Instructional Materials Subject File – Retained for 4 years

    Lesson Plans and Other Teaching Materials – Retained for 1 year

    Parent/Legal Guardian Permission Slips for Internet Access and Film Viewing – current school year

    Papers, Projects, and Other Assignments Submitted by Students – Not Retrieved – Available until end of current school year

    School Master Schedule – Retained for 6 years

    Standardized Achievement Testing (Mandatory) – Current School Year

    Standardized Achievement Tests – Communications and Requests – Retained for 5 years

    Standardized Achievement Test Results – Group Reports – Retained for 5 years

    Standardized Achievement Test Results – Individual Student – Retained for 3 years

    Statement of Requirements and Expectations Signed and Returned by Parent/Legal Guardian – Current school year

    Student Assessments (School/District Optional) – Test Selection – Retained for 3 years

    Student Assessments (School/District Optional) – Testing and Results – Retained for 1 year

    Student Assignment – General – Retained for 6 years

    Student Assignment – Special Service Programs (Student Not Placed) – Retained for 1 year

    Student Assignment – Special Service Programs (Student Placed) – Retained for 3 years

    Student Assignment – Special Service Programs (Transitional Bilingual Instruction) – Retained for 3 years

    Student Assignment – Transfer Requests (Granted) – Retained for 6 years

    Student Assignment – Transfer Requests (Not Granted) – Retained for 3 years

    Student Registration – Retained for 3 years

    Teacher Evaluation Forms of Learning Resource Center (LRC) Collections – Retained for 3 years

    Truancy Case Files – Retained for 6 years

    Truancy Petition/Disposition Log – Retained for 6 years

    W.F. West Advanced English Summer Reading

    W.F. West Course Guide

    W.F. West CTE Certificates of Proficiency

    W.F. West Honors Program

    W.F. West Running Start & College in the High School Guide in English & Spanish

    W.F. West Schedule Change Policy

    W.F. West School Profile

  • 2024-2025 Approved Budget

    2023-2024 Approved Budget

    Administration of Federal and State Categorical Grant Programs

    Apportionment Report from OSPI – Retained for 4 years

    Budget Revision Requests – Retained for 6 years

    Interlocal Purchasing Agreement for PPEs 2020-2021

  • Cornerstone Program Newsletters

    Public Research Access Requests – Maintained for 3 years

    Video Consent Form for Teacher Candidate Exam Video Submission – Retained for 6 years

  • Certificated Years of Experience – Retained for 60 years

    Employee Signature of Receipt Record – Retained for 1 year

    List of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Trained Employees – Retained for 30 years

    Professional Education Permits – Temporary – Retained for 6 years

  • Accreditation (Applications/Maintenance) – Retained for 6 years

    Accreditation (Outcome) – Retained for 6 years

    Demographic and Enrollment Projections – Retained for 3 years after end of fiscal year

    Facilities Master Plan 2023

    Official District Negotiated School Calendars – Retained for 6 years

    School Improvement Plans

    School Safety Plans – Retained for 6 years

    Superintendent Goble’s Entry Plan 2024-2025

  • Authorization For/Release of Student Records – Prior Consent Not Required – Retained for 3 years

    Chehalis Middle School Student Handbook

    Chehalis School District Organizational Chart

    Chehalis School District Policies & Procedures

    Free or Reduced-Price Meal Applications – Retained for 6 years

    Free or Reduced-Price Meal Application Verifications – Retained for 3 years

    Graduate List – Retained for 6 years

    HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) Food Safety Plan – Retained for 6 years

    Health Care/Services Provided to Students – Retained for 8 years

    Health/Nurse Room Registry – Retained for 8 years

    Homeless Child and Youth Identification/Eligibility Determination – Retained for 6 years

    Immunization/Exemption Reporting Compliance – Held until compliance is reached or student graduates/withdraws

    Immunization-Related Exclusions – Held for 3 years

    Immunization Status – Held until student graduates or withdraws

    James Lintott Elementary School Student Handbook

    List of Students Participating in Home-Based Instruction – Retained for 6 years

    McKinney-Vento Homeless Act

    Nondiscrimination and Sexual Harassment – Complaint Procedures

    Official Student Record – Retained for 100 years

    Orin Smith Elementary School Student Handbook

    OSPI Model HIB Language

    Parent/Legal Guardian Declaration of Intent (Home-Based Instruction) – Retained for 4 years

    Skills Center Patient Case Files – Retained for 8 years

    Skills Center Student Time Log/Sheet – Retained for 5 years

    Special Education Program – Student History File – Retained for 6 years after separation from program

    Special Education Program – Student History File Retention/Disposition Notification – Retained for 6 years

    Special Education Program – Student Not Eligible – Retained for 5 years

    Student Cumulative Folder (Student File Folder) – Retained for 3 years

    Student Discipline – Founded (Code of Conduct Violations) – Retained for 3 years

    Student Discipline – Founded (State Reportable Misconduct) – Retained for 6 years

    Student Transportation Report Records – Retained for 4 years

    Superintendent’s Official Duties & Actions – Retained for 6 years

    Title 1 Notification

    Transfer of Home-Based Student to School/District – Retained for 3 years

    Turning Point/Lewis County Alternative Student Handbook

    VISIONS Student Handbook

    W.F. West High School Student Handbook

  • Basic Education Act Compliance – Retained for 6 years

    Healthy Youth Survey Results – Retained for 6 years

    Notice of Finding W.F. West High School Drinking Water 2022

    Reporting – Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) – General – Retained for 4 years

    Reporting – Student Health and Safety – Retained for 4 Years

  • Agency-Provided Training – In-Service Education Programs – Retained for 7 years