Policies & Legal Notices

General
This website, and all of its sub-websites, are owned and operated by the Waterford School District (WSD) Administration and Staff. For best performance and use of the WSD website, please use the following browser types: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Microsoft Edge. The website is structured to directly reflect all policies and procedures set forth by the Waterford School District Board of Education. Waterford School District has the right, at any time, to change or discontinue any feature or aspect of this website, for any reason; that is, without limitation, availability, or equipment needed for accessing and utilizing this website.

Terms and Conditions of Use
The utilization of this District website, school websites, or individual departmental websites is governed by the policies, terms, and conditions set forth (Terms and Conditions of Use). Please read them through thoroughly and carefully. Your use of this site indicates your acceptance of each of the Terms and Conditions of Use. The Waterford School District reserves the right to modify this site in any fashion at any time as well as these Terms and Conditions of Use.

Copyright and Trademark
This website contains copyrighted material, trademarks, and other proprietary information including items such as photography, video, graphics, text, software, and forms. Each of the items mentioned prior, are subject to United States Copyright laws. You may NOT modify, publish, display, transmit, or subject yourself to the transfer or sale or in any form, exploit the content that exists on this website or that of any affiliates.

The data, information, materials, and services provided on this website are for the use to benefit the students, parents, members of the Waterford Community, and beyond. Changes or modifications to pages, structure, or procedure may incur at any time on this website. The materials on this website are provided in an “as is” state, without warranties of any type, either expressed or implied to the largest extent permissible to the applicable law.

You shall not upload, e-mail, post, or make available in any other fashion, any material on this website that is protected by copyright, trademark, or other laws; that is, without direct permission from the absolute source (WSD Administration or the WSD Webmaster.)

Disclaimer of Warranty / Limitation of Website Liability
Agreement: You shall agree that the use of this website is at your sole risk. The Waterford School District, its affiliates, or any other organization or members, therein, shall not incur any responsibility for your use of this website. The Waterford School District is not liable for any negative impact that is incurred to any one individual’s computer.

Limited License: The Waterford School District website, and all sub-websites are for educational use. Unless otherwise expressed, you may not modify, copy, distribute, re-distribute, transmit, display, use, publish, license, create derivative material from, transfer, or sell any information or content contained anywhere on this website or any sub-websites, via direct or indirect means.

Post of Content
The Waterford School District reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to refuse to post or remove any material submitted to, or posted on the website. Without limitation, the Waterford School District shall have the right to remove any material that the Waterford School District, in its sole discretion, finds to be in violation of the provisions hereof or otherwise objectionable, with regard to the standards of policies and procedures set forth by the Waterford School District Board of Education.

Modification of Terms
The Waterford School District has the right to, at any time, change, or modify the terms and conditions applicable to the use of this website and that of any sub-websites. Such changes or modifications shall be effective immediately upon notice thereof, which may be given by any means necessary in order to provide the most accurate and effective information possible.

Summary of Agreement
Each of the prior Terms and Conditions of Use validates the entire agreement between the Waterford School District and you, as the user or visitor of the Waterford School District website. Any changes to these Terms and Conditions of Use take affect immediately.

Contact Information
Should you have any questions, comments and/or concerns with regard to the information presented in this document or that of any other document, please direct your inquires to the webmaster at webmaster@wsdmi.org. Please allow a response time of twenty-four (24) hours.

Within the Waterford School District, inclusive diversity is one of our core values. We believe in making our website easy to use for all people, including those with disabilities. A student, parent or member of the public who wishes to submit a complaint or grievance regarding a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 or Title II related to the accessibility of any official Waterford School District presence that is developed by, maintained by, or offered through the Waterford School District, third party vendors and/or open sources may do so directly to the Waterford School District webmaster. When the webmaster receives the information, they shall immediately inform the website accessibility coordinator:

Christopher Burlingame, Website Accessibility Coordinator
501 N. Cass Lake Road Waterford, MI 48328
248.673.1261 Ext: 86105
webmaster@wsdmi.org

Third Party Websites

The Waterford School District's website contains links to websites hosted by third parties. The Waterford School District does not make claims regarding the accessibility of third-party websites and is not able to make accommodations on such websites as the content is not under the Waterford School District’s control.

Report Website Compliance Issues

Website Compliance Issues Form

Social Media Terms of Use

Thank you for participating in the discussions on our Facebook/Twitter (X)/Instagram/LinkedIn page(s).

As a follower of the Facebook/Twitter (X)/Instagram/LinkedIn page(s), you have the ability to post comments. Please adhere to the following guidelines when commenting:

• Be courteous, productive, and exercise mutual respect for others’ opinions. Avoid comments that are profane, offensive, defamatory, negative, inappropriate or otherwise objectionable.
• Do not post comments that are off-topic.
• Do not post the same comment multiple times, or otherwise distribute spam.
• Do not post personal information of any person other than yourself. If you choose to post your own contact information for any reason, please be aware that the information will be available to the public and is, therefore, subject to misuse.
• Assume that all postings on the page will be publicly available on the Internet and therefore publicly accessible without limitation or protection of any kind.
• Do not post material that promotes or advertises a commercial product, solicits business, membership, financial, or other support in any business, group, or organization, except those that are sponsored by Waterford School District.

By posting or commenting as described above, users give Waterford School District the right to remove comments for any reason, including but not limited to comments that violate these Terms of Use. Comments are also subject to Facebook's/Twitter (X)/Instagram/LinkedIn Terms of Use.

We comply with all federal and state regulations regarding the online safety and privacy of minors. We will not knowingly post, solicit, or communicate in any way through our Facebook/Twitter (X)/Instagram/LinkedIn page(s) with children under the age of 13.

Comments posted on the Facebook/Twitter (X)/Instagram/LinkedIn page(s) do not in any way reflect the opinions of Waterford School District.

Notice of Car Wash Fundraising Events

In an effort to continue compliance with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, Waterford School District prohibits car wash fundraising events on all Waterford School District Properties.

The stormwater management program describes policies, procedures, strategies, and measurable goals established by Waterford School District to implement and monitor the on-going success of this program. The Stormwater Management Plan is available for review on the district website.

Any questions or comments regarding the plan should be addressed to Operations & Maintenance at 248-674-3193. Below is information regarding car washing issues as it related to our local waterways and tips for car washing practices off school properties.

Remember, you're not just washing your car

What's the issue?

Did you know there are over four million vehicles in Southeast Michigan? So, practicing good car care means you are helping protect our lakes and streams. How does caring for your car affect our lakes and streams? Storm drains found in our streets and roadside ditches lead to our lakes and streams. So, if dirty water from washing our cars washes into the storm drain, it pollutes our local waterways. Likewise, if your vehicle leaks motor fluids on the street or driveway, that too, can wash into the storm drain and pollute our local waterways.

What are some helpful tips?

Here are some simple steps you can take to care for your car and help keep our water clean. Give them a try. A few simple changes can make a big difference!

Make a date. Car-wash facilities treat their dirty water before discharging it to our lakes and streams. So, make a date to take your car to a car wash.

Wash it - on the grass. If you wash your car at home, consider washing it on the lawn. Or, if you can't use the lawn, try to direct the dirty water towards the lawn and away from the storm drain.

Minimize it. Reduce the amount of soap you use or wash your car with plain water.

Maintain it. Keep your vehicle properly tuned and use the owner's manual to guide decisions about how often it is necessary to change fluids such as oil and antifreeze.

Take advantage of business expertise. Consider taking your vehicle to the shop to have the oil and other fluids changed. These businesses have the ability to recycle the used materials and clean up accidental spills.

Recycle. If you choose to change your oil and other fluids yourself, label the waste containers. Then, take them to your community's household hazardous waste collection day or to a business that accepts used oil. Never dump used oil, antifreeze, or other fluids on the ground or down the storm drain.

Soak it up. Use kitty litter promptly to absorb small amounts of spilled vehicle fluids. Then sweep it into a bag and throw it in the trash.

Do it under cover. Whenever possible, perform vehicle maintenance in a well-ventilated, but covered location (e.g., garage). This minimizes the potential for rainfall to wash those inevitable spills and drips into our lakes and streams.

These tips are part of SEMCOG's "Ours to Protect: Seven Simple Steps to Clean Water". For more information, please go to SEMCOG's -"Ours to Protect"

Waterford School District supports the public's right to information regarding the affairs of Waterford School District. The information contained in this website outlines our procedures and guidelines in regard to requests for records under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

FOIA Procedures

Contact Us

Megan Roberts
FOIA Coordinator
501 N. Cass Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48328

Phone: 248.706.4862
Email: roberm01@wsdmi.org

Written Public Summary of District FOIA Procedures and Guidelines

Introduction

As a public body under the Freedom of Information Act, the District has developed procedures and guidelines to implement and assure compliance with FOIA. The District has also created the following written public summary of the specific procedures and guidelines explaining how to submit written requests to the District and how to understand the District’s written responses, deposit requirements, fee calculations, and avenues for challenge and appeal.

How to Submit Written Requests

FOIA requests must be submitted in writing to the District. The request can be sent by email or mail to:

Email: roberm01@wsdmi.org

Waterford School District Attn: FOIA Coordinator 501 N. Cass Lake Road Waterford, MI 48328

Requests must sufficiently describe a public record so as to enable the District to find it. Requests should also include a contact telephone number to allow a District employee to make contact to resolve issues, clarify the scope of a request or help identify a specific document containing the information sought.

How to Understand the District’s Written Responses to FOIA Requests

The District must respond to a FOIA request within five business days. In some cases, the District may extend the time period by 10 business days to fulfill a request completely. A response does not necessarily mean the records are provided within five days.

The District can grant the FOIA request, deny the request, or grant it in part and deny it in part. If the request is granted in full or in part, the District can charge a fee to process the request.

Fees are calculated according to the District’s FOIA procedures and guidelines and documented in a detailed fee itemization form. The fee must be paid before a public record is made available. And, in some cases, the District will require a good‐faith deposit before it processes a public records request.

If the request is denied, the District will provide the basis for its denial in a written notice. The District will also provide notice of an individual’s rights to appeal the denial to the Board of Education and/or to file a lawsuit against the District in circuit court.

Deposit Requirements

The District will require a good faith deposit from a requestor before processing a public records request if the entire fee estimate or charge exceeds $50, based on a good‐faith calculation of the total fee. The deposit will not exceed one‐half of the total estimated fee as identified in a detailed fee itemization. The District’s response shall also include a best efforts and good‐faith nonbinding estimate regarding the time frame it will take the District to comply with FOIA in providing the public records to the requestor.

If the total amount charged in a previous records request has not been paid in full, the District may require a deposit of up to 100 percent of the estimated fee before processing a subsequent public records request.

Fee Calculations

The District may charge a fee for a public records search, for the necessary copying of a public record for inspection or for providing a copy of a public record under the District’s procedures and guidelines. The fee shall be limited to actual mailing costs, and to the actual incremental cost of duplication or publication including labor, the cost of search, examination, review, and the deletion and separation of exempt from nonexempt information. Labor costs shall be estimated and charged in increments of 15 minutes in most cases, with all partial time increments rounded down.

The District shall not charge for the cost of search, examination, review, and the deletion and separation of exempt from nonexempt information unless the failure to charge a fee would result in unreasonably high cost to the District because of the nature of the requests in the particular instance. Under such circumstances, the District shall specifically identify the nature of the unreasonably high costs.

The first $20 of a fee will be waived if a requestor submits an affidavit of indigency. The requestor must include a statement that the request is not being made in conjunction with outside parties in exchange for payment or other remuneration.

Avenues for Challenge and Appeal

If the District charges a fee that an individual thinks is too high, denies all or part of a public records request, the requestor may submit to the District Board of Education a written appeal that specifically states the word “appeal” and identifies the basis for which the fee should be reduced or the nondisclosure determination should be reversed. Written appeals may be sent to the email or mailing address listed above and will be forwarded to the Board of Education or the Superintendent for scheduling on the agenda of the next Board meeting. Additionally, the requestor may pursue a fee reduction or appeal the denial by commencing a civil action in circuit court.

More Information

This is only a summary of the FOIA procedures and guidelines. For more details and information, copies of the District’s FOIA Procedures and Guidelines are available at no charge at the District’s central office and on the District’s website: www.waterford.k12.mi.us.

FOIA FEE ITEMIZATION FORM 

FOIA FEE ITEMIZATION FORM‐ Page 2

1 The hourly rate shall not be more than the hourly wage of the lowest‐paid staff member capable of performing the labor in the particular instance.

2 The District will add up to 50 percent to the applicable labor charge amount to cover or partially cover the cost of fringe benefits; 100 percent of fringe benefit costs will be added to the applicable labor charge if a requestor stipulates that requested website records must be provided in a paper format or in a specific form of electronic media. In either case, the District shall not charge more than the actual cost of fringe benefits.

3 Overtime rates shall not be included in the calculation of labor costs unless overtime is specifically stipulated by the requestor.

4 In general, labor cost shall be estimated and charged in increments of 15 minutes, with all partial time increments rounded down. (See note 6 for exception.)

5 Divide the resulting hourly wage(s) by four to determine the charge per 15‐minute increment.

6 Labor costs for copying/duplicating records may be estimated and charged in time increments of the District’s choosing, with all partial time increments rounded down.

7 This amount shall not exceed an amount equal to six times the state minimum hourly wage rate, which is currently $8.15.

8 The District shall utilize the most economical means available for making copies, including using double‐ sided printing.

9 The fee shall not exceed 10 cents per sheet of paper for copies made on 8½” by 14” paper.

The following information is a requirement of the Stormwater Management Program by EGLE to reflect the name change for the new regulatory department of the state:

WSD Stormwater Public Education and Resources

Policy 2266: August 2025 - Non-Discrimination

The Board of Education of the Waterford School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education program or activity and is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. The requirement not to discriminate in its education program or activity extends to admission and employment. The District’s Title IX Coordinators are:

Nadine Milostan, Executive Director of Student Support Services
248.682.7800
501 N. Cass Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48328
titleix@wsdmi.org

Steven Wolf, Assistant Superintendent, 6-Post Secondary
248.682.7800
501 N. Cass Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48328
titleix@wsdmi.org