It is the policy of the Board of Education that this District comply with the Child Protection Act.
To that end, any school official or employee who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subject to abuse or neglect or who has observed the child being subjected to circumstances or conditions which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, as defined by statute, shall immediately upon receiving such information report or cause a report to be made to the appropriate county department of human services or local law enforcement agency. Failure to report promptly may result in civil and/or criminal liability. A person who reports child abuse or neglect in good faith is immune from civil or criminal liability.
Reports of child abuse or neglect, the name and address of the child, family or informant or any other identifying information in the report shall be confidential and shall not be public information.
The Board shall provide periodic in-service programs for all teachers in order to provide them with information about the Child Protection Act and appropriate legislation, to assist them in recognizing and reporting instances of child abuse and to instruct them on how to assist victims and their families.
School employees and officials shall not contact the child's family or any other persons to determine the cause of the suspected abuse or neglect. It is not the responsibility of the school official or employee to prove that the child has been abused or neglected.
The Superintendent shall submit such procedures as are necessary to the Board for approval to accomplish the intent of this policy.
Adoption Date: December 08, 2003
Last Revised: November 12, 2018
| Cross References: | GBEB - Staff Conduct |