Public Records Requests

The following requests should be directed to your student’s school or the appropriate district department rather than submitted as a public records request:

• Student transcripts (Contact your school or Parchment for graduation records)
• Student cumulative records
• Enrollment verification
• Educational records protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Requests for student directory information

Please note: Requests for student directory information will be denied unless permitted under applicable law.
 

To help expedite your request, please include as much detail as possible, including:

• Names of individuals involved
• Relevant date ranges
• School, department, or campus location
• Keywords or subject matter
• Specific records being requested
• Approximate time and location of incidents, if applicable

Overly broad or burdensome requests may require clarification or narrowing before processing can continue.
 

1. Submit your request through JustFOIA.
2. DVUSD reviews and routes the request to the appropriate departments.
3. Departments gather responsive existing records.
4. Records are reviewed for legal compliance, FERPA protections, confidentiality requirements, and applicable exemptions.
5. Responsive records are released through JustFOIA.

DVUSD strives to process public records requests within a reasonable timeframe consistent with Arizona law. Processing times vary depending on several factors, including:

• The scope and complexity of the request
• The volume of requests currently pending
• The need for legal review or FERPA redaction
• The location and format of the requested records
• The amount of responsive material requiring review

Some requests may require additional time if records must be retrieved from multiple departments or reviewed for legally protected information.
 

Public records laws apply to existing records maintained by the District. DVUSD is not required to create new records, summaries, reports, spreadsheets, compilations, or analyses in response to a public records request.

Certain records or portions of records may be withheld or redacted in accordance with state and federal law, including but not limited to:

• FERPA student privacy protections
• Confidential personnel or student information
• Attorney-client privileged communications
• Information made confidential by statute
• Information where disclosure would violate privacy rights or the best interests of the District

When possible, non-exempt portions of responsive records will be released after appropriate redactions are made.
 

Video surveillance footage contains student information protected by FERPA.

Parents or guardians seeking to review video footage involving their student should contact the District Public Records Office via e-mail for guidance regarding the review process.

Video footage is retained for a limited period of time and may no longer be available at the time of request.
Portions of video may be blurred, redacted, removed, or withheld to protect student and staff privacy rights.
In most circumstances, video may be made available for in-person review rather than direct release.
 

Please be advised that email communications sent to or received by District employees may constitute public records and may be subject to disclosure under Arizona Public Records Law unless protected by an applicable exemption.

DVUSD archives emails on a 2-year cycle. This means our archive will contain emails from the past two school years, plus the current school year. Currently, emails available in the DVUSD archive are from the 2023-24, and 2024-25 school years.

Requests for emails from the 2023-24 school year must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. MST Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Communications & Community Engagement Department
Email
Phone: 623-445-5039

PLEASE NOTE: While you are welcome to contact the public records clerk via phone or email, all public records requests must go through JustFOIA.

All public records requests are subject to applicable Arizona laws, District policies, and governing board regulations regarding access, confidentiality, redaction, and fees.