SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL UNION DISTRICT #41 CODE: JHG
POLICY MANUAL
DRAFT: 10/18/93 1st READING: 4/5/93 2nd READING: 5/4/93
3rd READING/ADOPTED: 5/17/93
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REPORTING CHILD ABUSE

1.0 Child abuse and neglect affects the learning environment. The Board recognizes the educational value of reporting suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. School employees may be able to identify abused or neglected children because of their continuous contact with school age children. Sexual harassment of a minor by an adult is considered a form of child abuse.

2.0 By law, it is the responsibility of employees of the school district to take action to protect students whose health and welfare may be adversely affected through abuse or neglect.

3.0 Any school official or employee who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, shall immediately report or cause a report to be made to the Office of Social and Rehabilitation Services. The school official or employee is legally obligated to make a report; failure to do so may be subject to prosecution. The school official or employee shall also inform the principal of the situation and that a report has been made to the state agency.

4.0 School employees shall be made aware that by state statute, when reports are made in good faith, their names shall remain confidential, unless or until a case goes to trail at which time the source of the report must be revealed They are immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result of making a report.



REF: 33 VSA II 4913 et seq

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