!HELP!
A Series for School Leaders
I received information that alleges one of my staff was inappropriate with at least one student, maybe more! What should I do?
Although it's rare, it happens. It's a small problem when it happens in someone else's school but a BIG problem when it happens in yours. What should you do? Here’s our How To for this when it comes your way:
1. Recognize that any allegation sexual in nature is serious, both because it may ruin an innocent educator's reputation AND it may be true and needs to set in motion actions that cannot be reversed.
2. Your first few phone calls are critical. Whether you get information in written form or orally, you are going to want to keep a log of everything you do from that moment on. You are going to contact your school's lawyer; the local police; your Title IX sexual harassment officer; and your board president. Each contact should describe what information came to your attention and how it did so. In addition, you are going to want to ask who you should and should not speak to moving forward; what actions you should prepare to take and what actions you should not take; and what/when you should communicate anything to various constituencies. Do not say anything personally identifying as to the alleged perpetrator or the alleged victim(s) except, of course, to police authorities.
3. Typically, we try to investigate any allegation first before getting any other party or entity involved. That is NOT the case with an allegation of a sexual nature. Your local police will conduct their investigation before you do anything on your own. It is always better to be able to honestly say you are following the advice of the proper authorities. If the police find nothing actionable, then you can continue to process information and decide whether the school still has an issue to resolve.
4. Keep in mind you are protecting an educator from false allegations but at the same time, assuming the allegations have merit, are forwarding them to the proper authorities That should be both your private and public position throughout.
5. When you have a moment, it is always good to gather your thoughts and your log of what you've done since receiving the information. Write a statement that summarizes everything that can be shared with board members and eventually made public. You will want to show your statement to your school's attorney as a draft, for input that balances the rights of individuals and the desire for honest transparency.
6. From this point on, every case is different. Resignations, early retirements, criminal charges, civil lawsuits, media coverage, staff/parent communications, and sometimes no action whatsoever are the results of these kinds of cases. We recommend you follow the advice of the police department, your school's lawyers, your Title IX officer and Board President, in that order.
Thankfully, the vast majority of our educators are responsible professionals; but it shouldn't surprise you to believe that at some point in your career you will encounter allegations that will cause you to think through the above action steps.
Contributed by our Founder Jerry Brodsky
Although it's rare, it happens. It's a small problem when it happens in someone else's school but a BIG problem when it happens in yours. What should you do? Here’s our How To for this when it comes your way:
1. Recognize that any allegation sexual in nature is serious, both because it may ruin an innocent educator's reputation AND it may be true and needs to set in motion actions that cannot be reversed.
2. Your first few phone calls are critical. Whether you get information in written form or orally, you are going to want to keep a log of everything you do from that moment on. You are going to contact your school's lawyer; the local police; your Title IX sexual harassment officer; and your board president. Each contact should describe what information came to your attention and how it did so. In addition, you are going to want to ask who you should and should not speak to moving forward; what actions you should prepare to take and what actions you should not take; and what/when you should communicate anything to various constituencies. Do not say anything personally identifying as to the alleged perpetrator or the alleged victim(s) except, of course, to police authorities.
3. Typically, we try to investigate any allegation first before getting any other party or entity involved. That is NOT the case with an allegation of a sexual nature. Your local police will conduct their investigation before you do anything on your own. It is always better to be able to honestly say you are following the advice of the proper authorities. If the police find nothing actionable, then you can continue to process information and decide whether the school still has an issue to resolve.
4. Keep in mind you are protecting an educator from false allegations but at the same time, assuming the allegations have merit, are forwarding them to the proper authorities That should be both your private and public position throughout.
5. When you have a moment, it is always good to gather your thoughts and your log of what you've done since receiving the information. Write a statement that summarizes everything that can be shared with board members and eventually made public. You will want to show your statement to your school's attorney as a draft, for input that balances the rights of individuals and the desire for honest transparency.
6. From this point on, every case is different. Resignations, early retirements, criminal charges, civil lawsuits, media coverage, staff/parent communications, and sometimes no action whatsoever are the results of these kinds of cases. We recommend you follow the advice of the police department, your school's lawyers, your Title IX officer and Board President, in that order.
Thankfully, the vast majority of our educators are responsible professionals; but it shouldn't surprise you to believe that at some point in your career you will encounter allegations that will cause you to think through the above action steps.
Contributed by our Founder Jerry Brodsky
!HELP! is a series of common scenarios that confront schools today and our attempt to help schools and administrators deal with them. We will add new scenarios periodically. If you have a suggestion of one you would like to see, please let us know.
Contact us for further and individualized assistance.
This provides only general information.
Contact us for further and individualized assistance.
This provides only general information.