Other Record Requests

Record requests are governed by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

Before making a formal Freedom of Information (FOI) request, we encourage you to try the informal route first. It is often faster, and many records can be provided by the school or appropriate DSBN department without a formal request.

For records about you or your minor child, please contact the current school first. If the student is no longer attending DSBN, contact the last school attended.

For general information that is not about you or your child, please contact the DSBN department most connected to the information.

If your request is about a question or concern related to your child’s education or school, please visit the Contact page first for options that may help resolve the matter.

You may still choose to make a formal Freedom of Information request. The information below explains common record requests and the formal FOI process.

Other Record Requests include:

Personal Records
  • For records about you or your child under 18, such as OSR documents or attendance records, contact the current school or the last DSBN school attended
  • If the student’s last school was outside DSBN, contact that school board because student records follow the student
  • Requests made in July or August may not be processed until schools reopen in September

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Request by Authorized Party
  • Authorized parties, such as lawyers, medical professionals, or the Ontario Children’s Lawyer, may request records with signed consent or other legal authority
  • Send these requests to FOIRequests@dsbn.org. They are managed as formal FOI requests

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Correction to Personal Information
  • You may ask DSBN to correct personal information about you or your minor child if a DSBN record is incorrect or incomplete
  • Start with the current school or, for former students, the last school attended
  • Correction requests must be made within one year after the information was disclosed to you
  • If DSBN does not make the correction, you may provide a statement of disagreement to attach to the record

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General Records
  • For general information that is not about you or your child, start with the DSBN department most connected to the information
  • This is often faster than a formal FOI request
  • DSBN can only release someone else’s personal information where permitted by law

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Formal Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests

Step 1: Consider the Informal Route First

The informal route is often faster and may avoid the need for a formal FOI request. Start with the school or DSBN department most connected to the information.

If you still wish to proceed formally, or if a formal request is needed because you are an authorized party, email FOIRequests@dsbn.org to request the Access Request Form.

Step 2: Pay the Application Fee
  • Formal FOI requests require a $5 application fee. There is no fee for informal routine disclosure.
  • For personal record requests, the fee is $5 per person. For example, records for 2 students would be $10.
  • Payment instructions will be sent to you if a formal FOI request is required
Step 3: Provide Photo ID, if Required
  • Formal FOI requests for personal records must include a clear copy of government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s licence
  • Your request will not be processed until the required photo ID is received
  • If submitting by email, attach a scanned copy or clear photo of your ID. PDF or JPG files are preferred
Step 4: Submit Your Completed Request
Step 5: Receive the Response
  • Formal FOI requests are usually processed within 45 business days. If more time is needed, DSBN will send an extension notice.
  • DSBN will tell you about any additional fees, such as photocopying, search, or shipping fees, before records are released
  • Additional fees must be paid before formal FOI records are disclosed