The Cobb County School District (District) recognizes the important role that parents play in the education of their children.

RULE:

A. GENERAL PROVISIONS:
This Administrative Rule specifically addresses the District's relationship with non-custodial parents and its responsibilities to the custodial parent unless modified or restricted by court order or legally binding document.
    1. In instances where a court order or legally-binding document exists, it shall be the
        responsibility of the parent to provide a bona fide copy of the order or document to
        the Principal or designee.
    2. The District reserves the right to request and review copies of custodial documents
        should a dispute arise.

B. DEFINITION OF CUSTODIAL PARENT:
    1. This Rule defines a custodial parent as the parent who enrolled the student unless a
        court order or legally-binding document is produced that states otherwise.
    2. If a custodial parent gives permission through a notarized statement for the student
        to live with the other natural parent and that parent enrolls the child, the school will
        then conduct all school business with the parent who has physical custody. The
        custodial parent will then fall under the provisions of this Rule.

C. NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT:
The non-custodial parent, shall be afforded the following:
    1. STUDENT RECORDS:
        A non-custodial parent may request a copy of the school records for his/her child.
        This request:
        a. Must be placed in writing to the principal and notarized.
        b. Shall be honored:
           (1) Within forty-five (45) calendar days, unless prohibited by a court order or
                other legally-binding document; and
           (2) After the school makes an attempt to notify the custodial parent of the request
                for records and the school's intended compliance.
    2. TEACHER CONFERENCES:
        a. The District recognizes that upon divorce, only the custodial parent has the
            authority to make decisions pertaining to a child's upbringing, including the child's
            education.
        b. However, the non-custodial parent, absent a court order or other legally-binding
            document which provides otherwise, is encouraged to attend joint conferences for
            the purpose of clarification and interpretation of student records with the custodial
            parent during the regularly scheduled conference weeks in grades K-8 and during
            the regularly scheduled advisement weeks in grades 9-12.
        c. If either the non-custodial or custodial parent objects to attending a joint
            conference, either parent may request that the non-custodial parent be provided a
            separate time for clarification and interpretation with a staff member may be
            requested by the non-custodial parent. This request for a separate conference
            shall be made by a notarized letter to the Principal or designee.
    3. SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
        Absent a court order or other legally-binding document which provides otherwise,
        the non-custodial parent may:
        a. At the beginning of the school term request, by a notarized letter to the Principal
           or designee, copies of school information given to parents at that time. This
           information should include procedures for purchasing school pictures.
        b. Attend any public or spectator activity involving his/her child. Attendance at
           public or spectator activities does not include:
           (1) Lunchroom visits.
           (2) Classroom visits, except to attend classroom activities to which all
                parents/guardians are invited.
           (3) Other activities that are not classified as public or spectator.
        c. The non-custodial parent will not be permitted to check-out or pick-up students
            unless proper authorization from the custodial parent is on file with the school.
        d. Exception: The custodial parent may provide a notarized statement to the
            school giving permission to the non-custodial parent to check-out or pick-up
            the student and attend non-public/spectator activities (luncheon visits, and so
            forth). This document must be maintained at the school and must be specific
            as to the permission granted.

Adopted: 1/11/89
Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04
Revised: 5/23/91; 5/28/92; 6/26/03; 8/11/04; 8/10/05