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Board reviews change to policy on law‑enforcement interviews of students; proposal would allow remote monitoring
Summary
Board discussion centered on a proposed revision to Policy 54 to remove a mandatory in‑room requirement for principals or counselors during law‑enforcement or DHHS interviews and instead allow an employee to monitor interviews remotely, with the student retaining the right to request an adult present.
Mr. Alexander, district staff (policy presenter), introduced a proposed change to Policy 54 at the April 25 meeting that would alter the district’s practice for law‑enforcement or Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) interviews of students in suspected child abuse or neglect cases.
Under the district’s prior policy language, Mr. Alexander said, “whenever law enforcement came in to interview a student about child abuse or neglect case, it was always mandatory that a principal or ... school counselor be in that interview.” He described two reasons the district and local authorities requested reconsideration of that mandatory‑presence requirement: (1) principals or counselors who participate in interviews can later be subpoenaed and compelled to testify about the interview, and (2) some students are reluctant to discuss sensitive matters when a school official they see daily is in the room.
The proposed revision would permit a district employee to monitor the interview in real time from outside the interview room rather than being physically present inside the room. Mr. Alexander said the change is intended to provide an additional layer of protection for administrators from potential subpoena exposure while also making some students more comfortable speaking to investigators. He emphasized the district would preserve the student’s voice: if a student explicitly requests that an administrator or counselor be present, staff would honor that request.
Board discussion clarified that the change would apply in situations involving law enforcement or DHHS investigations and that the district has consulted with its county attorney and local law enforcement on the proposed wording. Mr. Alexander said the language under consideration was drafted with input from the district’s attorney.
The transcript records discussion and clarifying questions but does not record a formal board vote on Policy 54 at this meeting. Trustees asked how often such interviews occur and whether other advocates (for example, CASA or a parent) are present; the presenter said administrators have sometimes been the only adult present and that students retain the ability to request an adult in the interview.
No formal action on Policy 54 is documented in the transcript excerpt provided.
