445

STUDENT INTERVIEWS WITH OUTSIDE AGENCY PERSONNEL

The Board of Education encourages school administrators and District staff to work in close cooperation with social services, law enforcement, and other outside agency personnel for the safety and well-being of students and staff.

The District has multiple partnerships with agencies to support and protect students. These agencies include but are not limited to county social services, Appleton Police Department Police School Liaisons (PSL), etc. The primary focus of these partnerships is to foster positive relationships with students, families and school communities. Generally, PSL’s assigned to work with students in the school setting communicate and interact in the same manner as school personnel except when required to carry out law enforcement activities.

When determined to be necessary, law enforcement and other outside agency personnel may interview students during the school day. In most instances, reasonable and appropriate attempts will be made to notify parents or legal guardians of students who are interviewed during the school day.

Cross Reference:
Student Interviews with Outside Agency Personnel 445-Rule
Student Records 347 and 347-Rule
Search of Lockers, Desks, and Other Storage Areas 446.1
Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect 454 and 454-Rule

Legal References:
Wisconsin Statutes sections 48.981(3)(c), 18.125(2), 118.257(2), 120.13(1), 120.44(2), 946.40, 946.41

Adoption Date: April 28, 2014

445-Rule

STUDENT INTERVIEWS WITH OUTSIDE AGENCY PERSONNEL

When determined to be necessary, law enforcement, social services and other outside agency personnel may interview students during the school day. In most cases, reasonable and appropriate attempts will be made to notify parents or legal guardians of students who are interviewed during the school day. The principal or designee may be present during a student interview as determined to be appropriate and consistent with law enforcement, other agency standards, and applicable legal requirements.

Elementary Students

The principal or designee is encouraged to contact parents or legal guardians prior to any interview of an elementary student who is the victim, witness, or complainant (except in case of an abuse situation or otherwise instructed by the police). In most cases, the principal or designee may be present during the student interview.

The interview may proceed prior to notification of the parent or legal guardian if:

1. The situation is determined by law enforcement and the principal/designee to require prompt action
2. The situation is determined to be of a serious nature;
3. The attempt to contact the parent or legal guardian has been unsuccessful.

If the District representative has been unable to make contact with a parent or legal guardian prior to the interview, the principal or designee will make every appropriate effort to inform the student’s parent or legal guardian of the interview after the fact.

Middle/High School Students

The principal or designee is encouraged to contact parents or legal guardians when a middle school or high school student has been interviewed by police in regard to a school investigation or concern (except in the case of an abuse situation or otherwise instructed by the police). In most cases, the principal or designee may be present during the student interview. In the case of the police or other agency interviewing a middle or high school student about a non-school investigation or concern, the officer or outside agency personnel may communicate with the principal or designee, and determine the necessary communications with parents or legal guardians.

Adoption Date: April 28, 2014