The Board of Education believes that school staff members are in a unique position to assist children, families, and the community in dealing with the issue of child abuse and neglect. Child abuse is defined as any physical injury, sexual abuse or emotional abuse inflicted on a child other than by accidental means. Neglect is defined as the failure to provide the proper or necessary support, education, nutrition or medical, surgical or other care necessary for the child's well being.

If a student reports alleged sexual misconduct on the part of a teacher, or school employee, to a school employee, such employee and the Superintendent shall forward the information within twenty-four hours of receiving the information to the Children's Division. The District will investigate the allegation for the purpose of making decisions about the accused person's employment.

However, if the report of alleged sexual abuse is received from someone other than a student, a report will be made to the Children's Division if a District administrator has reason to believe that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected.

Any school district employee, acting in good faith, who reports alleged sexual misconduct on the part of a school employee will not be disciplined or discriminated against because of such reporting.

The District will annually provide employee training, which will include but not be limited to current information concerning identification of the signs of sexual abuse in children as well as the identification of the danger signals of potentially abusive relationships between children and adults. This training will emphasize the importance of mandatory child abuse reporting, including the obligation to report suspected abuse by other mandated reporters. Employees will receive training on the need for and methods to create an atmosphere of trust so that students believe their school and school employees are available to discuss matters concerning abusive behavior.