Abuse & Neglect

The district provides annual training to employees, as required by law, in prevention and recognizing sexual abuse, trafficking, and all other maltreatment of children. Any person who has cause to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect has a legal responsibility, under state law, to immediately report the suspected abuse or neglect to an appropriate authority. As defined in state law, child abuse and neglect include both sex and labor trafficking of a child. The following individuals have an additional legal obligation to submit a written or oral report within 48 hours of learning of the facts giving rise to the suspicion of abuse or neglect: (1) any district employee, agent, or contractor who suspects a child’s physical or mental health or welfare has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect; (2) a professional who has cause to believe that a child has been or may be abused or neglected or may have been a victim of indecency with a child. A professional is anyone licensed or certified by the state who has direct contact with children in the normal course of duties for which the individual is licensed or certified. 

By law, district officials shall be prohibited from: (1) Denying an investigator’s request to interview a child at school in connection with an investigation of child abuse or neglect; (2) Requiring a parent or school employee to be present during the interview; or (3) Coercing someone into suppressing or failing to report child abuse or neglect. District personnel shall cooperate fully and without parental consent, if necessary, with an investigation of reported child abuse or neglect.