If you are enrolled in the St. Johns County School District (or most any school for that matter) or if your child or a loved one is a student, the information below ought to concern you.

Did you know that under Section 9528 of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 school districts are required to provide a student’s data to any and all branches of the U.S. military and military recruiters? Schools have been forwarding personal information to the military for decades, but now providing military access to a student’s information is mandatory. A school district would risk losing funding if it did not comply. (Other recruiting tactics include information obtained by the military from the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) exam administered in high schools and the SAT).

Were you also aware that school districts are also supposed to inform families of their “opt out” rights so that a child’s data may not be automatically sent to the military and military recruiters? At this time, the St. Johns County School District fulfills the minimum of this requirement. At the beginning of the school year, a handbook is distributed to each student that includes a privacy form. The disadvantage to completing this particular form is that it disregards a student’s preference as to which organization may or may not receive his or her personal data. For example, a student may want to receive information about college scholarships, but he or she may not want personal data automatically sent to the military. Too bad. If a parent signs this form, the student will not receive any desired information. According to a SJCSD employee, the form available at this time has only been used in instances of child custody cases, when a child’s privacy is of the utmost importance. The limitations of this form, therefore, necessitates that a specific military “Opt Out” form be made available.

In June 2005 I submitted an informational packet about the implementation of an “Opt Out” policy in our schools to each member of the St. Johns County School Board. In July 2005, Peg McIntire, Anne Galloway, and myself attended the School Board meeting. During the “Public Comment” we requested that the “Opt Out” form become readily available within our school district. Afterward, one School Board member remarked about the importance of protectin’ our country and insinuated that conscientious objectors were a bunch of wimps.

On August 1st Anne Galloway and I met with Superintendent Joyner in his office. He assured us that he is “on our side” and that he is going to meet with the principals of each high school in the county about including the “Opt Out” form in their respective guidance counselor’s offices. I believe we have the right to have the form available in our schools. According to at least two legal precedents, the legal rights of individuals and groups to present counter-military opinions to students are equal to the access rights of military recruiters. In addition, if a parent or student requests an “Opt Out” form, it needs to be provided by the school district.

Take my advice: DO NOT WAIT to sign the form until it appears in the guidance counselor’s office! The “Opt Out” form may become available, but it is not available at this time! Therefore, if you are concerned about your privacy or your child’s privacy, and if you do not want your personal data or your child’s personal data automatically sent to the military, follow my orders and complete an “Opt Out” form today! Forms are currently available at Loose Screws, Backstreets, Blue Planet, and Mystic Bean, or you may learn more about “opting out” and print your own form at www.leavemychildalone.org