Cooperation with law enforcement agencies is essential for the protection of students, for maintaining a safe environment in the District schools, and for safeguarding all school property.
The behavior of students outside of school hours and away from the school grounds is the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s) rather than the educational system. It is the feeling of the Board that a student under suspicion of having committed a misdemeanor or crime at times or places outside the jurisdiction of the school authorities, is entitled to the guidance, assistance and protection of the parent(s)/ guardian(s). It is the preference of the Board that police questioning of students in the schools and during school hours are undertaken only after the parent(s)/guardian(s) has been duly notified and is present. The building Principal shall notify an investigating officer(s) of this preference and seek his/her (their) cooperation in waiting until parent(s)/guardian(s) have been duly notified and are present before questioning begins.
Because of the nature of such investigation and because of the statutory authority bestowed upon the Department of Human Services (DHS) concerning the investigation of child abuse, authorized agents of said department with proper identification shall be permitted to talk with students in school without the presence of the parent(s)/ guardian(s).
The District recognizes that the DHS may, lawfully, interview a child alleged to have been abused without the presence of the building Principal or other school personnel. However, in appropriate cases, the Principal may request that he or she, or a designated representative, be present during the interview.
