All employees share responsibility regarding the use and protection of proprietary information. Proprietary information is any data or information that is verbal, written, or digital which is considered confidential, important or competitively sensitive, including, but not limited to, student information, financial information, information systems and computer technology, and agreements with students or their families. In consideration of your continued employment, you must keep proprietary information secret and confidential during your tenure with LCS and for two years after your employment ends, whether it ends voluntarily or involuntarily.

CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF SCHOOL AFFAIRS
It is imperative that faculty/staff members respect and maintain confidentiality concerning employees, students and school business. Information available to the faculty and staff concerning student records, psychological evaluations, disciplinary reports, financial information, etc., must not be shared with anyone except faculty members, and then, only in a professional conference on a need-to-know basis.

Definition of Confidential and Proprietary Information
For the purposes of this policy, confidential or proprietary information includes, but is not limited to:

• Student Records: Personal, academic, disciplinary, medical, or financial information protected under FERPA or other privacy laws.
• Employee Records: Personal, payroll, evaluation, or disciplinary information protected under applicable employment and privacy laws.
• School Operations: Financial data, budgets, strategic plans, donor or alumni lists, tuition information, contracts, or legal matters.
• Intellectual Property: Curriculum materials, instructional content, technology systems, passwords, and proprietary teaching tools developed by or for the school.
• Board and Administrative Matters: Non-public discussions, minutes, or documents related to governance, personnel, or strategic issues.

Responsibilities
All individuals associated with Lakeway Christian Schools are expected to:

• Handle confidential or proprietary information with discretion and only for legitimate school purposes.
• Securely store or dispose of sensitive information in accordance with school procedures.
• Refrain from discussing confidential matters in public or with unauthorized persons.
• Immediately report any known or suspected breach of confidentiality to a supervisor, the Superintendent, or the Board Chair (if applicable).

 Data Protection and Security

• The school will maintain appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect confidential and proprietary information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss.
• Employees must follow all school policies regarding password protection, electronic communication, and data storage.
• Digital or paper records containing confidential information must be handled and disposed of in compliance with school data retention and destruction policies.

Violations and Consequences
Unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse of confidential or proprietary information is a serious violation of school policy.
 Depending on the severity of the incident, violations may result in:

• Disciplinary action up to and including termination (for employees) or removal from office (for trustees).
• Revocation of volunteer privileges or contract termination.
• Legal action where applicable.