The Kirkland Reporter’s February 11 editorial states “LWSD officials told us they were unable to release any information because of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).” Actually, the district did release a considerable amount of information to the Reporter regarding the assault of a student at Juanita High School. We answered all the questions we could and we have provided 769 pages of documents in response to five public records requests.

The editorial further notes that the names of the suspects were included in the charging documents. It implies the school district should have provided that information much earlier. The district in fact must comply with student privacy laws or face the consequences. Those consequences could include spending thousands or even millions of taxpayer dollars to defend against lawsuits and potentially pay damages.

I completely understand the Reporter and the community’s interest in knowing more. I also know that more information will be provided through the legal process, which has taken a long time in this instance. The Kirkland Police Department and King County Prosecutor do not have the same legal requirements to protect student privacy that the district does. They are not only free to provide more information than the school district can but it is part of the legal process.

Kathryn M. Reith, Communications Director Lake Washington School District