Electronic Document Retention

The infusion of technology into schooling presents an emerging issue for educational officials at all levels. Electronic documents, or e-documents, encompass the entire range of digitized or electronically generated information. In the absence of current federal litigation specifically related to e-documents in education, the proper protection and retention of e-documents is necessary should parties file suits against school boards and/or individual educators requiring evidence that may include e-documents. As the move toward a paperless society continues, educational officials must establish systematic policies and procedures to handle e-documents.

If school boards lack policies or procedures governing protection and retention of e-documents, then current or historical methods used for handling documents generally apply to e-documents. This standard applies in considering whether school officials are proceeding consistently regarding protection ...