Principal

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American College of Education *

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5753

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Law

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Jan 9, 2024

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WHAT SHOULD THE PRINCIPAL DO NEXT? SHAYLA L. ABNEY AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION EL 5753 DR. ERIC PARKER 09/10/23

The lead special education teacher for a class of students with severe disabilities who are vulnerable and noncommunicative feeds them peanut butter as part of a learning module. The teacher forgets to check the allergy list prior to feeding the students the peanut butter, and one student has a severe reaction. The lead teacher takes the student to the school nurse and withholds the information about the consumption of peanut butter. The lead teacher then instructs the paraprofessionals, the student teacher, and the co-teacher to lie about the incident, and she disposes of the evidence by taking the trash to her car. Awhile later, the mother of the child calls the school from the hospital to ask if the child consumed anything that could have caused the reaction. The principal checks with the lead teacher who answers that the child did not consume anything that would have caused the issue. Later, the principal gets a call from the local university supervisor of the student teacher who reports the child was fed peanut butter, and all adults were instructed to lie about the incident. What does the principal do? The first step would be to contact the parent, apologies for the late information and inform them that the child did have peanut butter. Second the lead teacher would be put on administrative leave pending an investigation. This would include witness statements from staff. The paraprofessional and co teacher would receive a write up for dereliction of duty. PRINCIPAL NEXT STEPS PRINCIPAL DAILY PEANUT BUTTER FIASCO Special Legal Edition PRINCIPAL LEGAL RATIONALE The teacher was at fault for negligence for not checking allergies before conducting the lesson. The teacher further was negligent by not telling the parents and instructing the staff to lie. Allergies can be deadly and if this case would have made a turn for the worse criminal charges could have been brought against the staff and the school. Administrative Procedure 5146- Guideline for Students with Disabilities Administrative Procedure 5167 - Allergen Control in the Schools LAW AND SCHOOL POLICY

A teacher reports to the principal they are uncomfortable about a situation between a male teacher and a female student. The teacher reports the male teacher and female student are known to eat alone quite often in a classroom. The reporting teacher is also uncomfortable with the touching that goes on between the teacher and student which includes hugging. What should the principal do next? Step one would be a informal walkthrough at lunch so that I could see the behavior for myself. Second, I would have a conversation with the student to see if there is any reason they are not having lunch in the cafeteria with their peers. Third, I would send out an email to all staff reminding them of what positive boundaries looked like between staff and students and the administrative procedures on touching. Finally I would have a personal conversation with the teacher and monitor his behavior. If the behavior continues an investigation would be launched. PRINCIPAL NEXT STEPS PRINCIPAL DAILY LUNCH BUNCH Special Legal Edition PRINCIPAL LEGAL RATIONALE Many schools have into place that teachers and students should not be alone in any room at any time. This stops speculation about possible lewd acts. Also, teachers should not touch student and this is usually incorporated in the training videos teachers need to watch each year. Professionalism comes into place as well when looking at behaviors between the teacher and his student. Administrative Procedure 4218- Dating and sexual relationships among students Administrative Procedure 4219- Inappropriate interactions among students LAW AND SCHOOL POLICY

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A parent calls the school office and reports to the principal that a teacher repeatedly tells students how soldiers can kill the enemy in the quickest way possible. The parent says the teacher has even demonstrated techniques using students as the victim. The principal has spoken to the teacher before about avoiding these topics in the classroom. The principal confronts the teacher about the new information, and the teacher admits the information is true. What should the principal do next? The first step I would take as a principal is to remind the teacher that conversations should be based on curriculum and not personal. Second. I would give the teacher a written disciplinary action form, the teacher did not heed the warning the first time about the language and now there needs to be written proof that the teacher was told to stop. Last, I would refer the teacher to counseling or mental health services to help him work through his fixation on the topic. PRINCIPAL NEXT STEPS PRINCIPAL DAILY CONVERSATIONS TO AVOID Special Legal Edition PRINCIPAL LEGAL RATIONALE Teachers should not conduct conversations with students where their religious or political views are expressed. (ACE, 2023). That includes their take on combat and enemy territory. The teacher is creating a hazardous environment by demonstrating techniques on students and exposing them to information that is not in the curriculum. The teacher also may be making students feel uncomfortable and unsafe. Pgcea 4.23- Professionalism Board Policy 0107 – Ethics Regulations Administrative Procedure 4219 – Inappropriate Interactions Among Students and Employees, Independent Contractors and Volunteers LAW AND SCHOOL POLICY

A teacher reports one of their students comes to school day after day and is more and more distant from classmates and less engaged. The principal asks the school counselor to interview the child who will not say what is going on at home but admits they are afraid to go home in fear for their own safety and the safety of their siblings. What should the principal do next? Immediately a report would need to be made to child protected services. It is also important to document all components of the call: the date, time, person whom you spoke with, the case number and any reference numbers. Next, I would have the counselor or social worker create a safety plan with the student of what they can do if they feel unsafe and who they could reach out to if needed. Last, I would check in with the student and see how they are progressing, any changes that have been made to the house environment and how to support them going forward. PRINCIPAL NEXT STEPS PRINCIPAL DAILY SEE SOMETHING, DO SOMETHING Special Legal Edition PRINCIPAL LEGAL RATIONALE School is a safe space for many students and often they feel comfortable confiding in a staff they have a rapport with. As people who work with students we have a mandated obligation to report any suspicion of abuse. Administrative Procedure 5145 - Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect AP 5144 - Cooperation with Law Enforcement Officers and Government Officials Contacting Students Administrative Procedure 5062 - Student Behavior Interventions LAW AND SCHOOL POLICY

A student experiences ongoing bullying-like behavior from a classmate. One day, the student receives a threatening text from the classmate. Although the principal has been communicating with the parent of the student accused of bullying, the parents of the victim are claiming discrimination based on race as they feel the school has not done enough to protect their child. What should the principal do next? The first thing that needs to be done is a parent meeting needs to be held so that all parties are aware of the situation and what has been done so far. A bully inventory list needs to be done to ensure that the issue is indeed classified as bullying. Next there needs to be a mediation held with the students to try and alleviate the problem at hand. After the mediation a bully agreement form will be completed so that the alleged bully knows what the consequence would be if this happens again. An assembly on what bullying looks like and feels like would be held school wide so that all students know the consequences of bullying. PRINCIPAL NEXT STEPS PRINCIPAL DAILY PHONE TROUBLES Special Legal Edition PRINCIPAL LEGAL RATIONALE Students within the school community have the right to feel safe inside and outside the school walls when it comes to students from the school. The families should be able to feel that their children are safe and being looked after. The should also be confident in that fact that if an issue it brought to the school it will be resolved to the best of their abilities. Board Policy 1351- Rights and Responsibilities of Parents Board of Education 5143- Bullying Administrative Procedure 4170- Bullying and intimidation Administrative Procedure 5062: Student Behavior Intervention AP 10101 - Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook LAW AND SCHOOL POLICY

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After reviewing placement in advanced courses of high school students, the principal discovers some of the highest performing, diverse middle school students are not enrolled in advanced and honors courses when they reach high school. The principal meets with the high school counselor who explains the students are selected for advanced and honors classes by teacher recommendations rather than student achievement score performance. What should the principal do next? A review of the school policy for admittance into advance coursed would need to be conducted to ensure that the policy does not list teacher preference as the deciding factor. If it does a meeting would need to be held to make changes. The new policy would include a criteria such as standardized scores, student interest in the classes and overall grades. There would also be a meeting held with staff to discuss discrimination and implicit bias. PRINCIPAL NEXT STEPS PRINCIPAL DAILY TRUE ADVANCEMENT Special Legal Edition PRINCIPAL LEGAL RATIONALE Discrimination is never okay! Students should have the same opportunities based on academic not on teacher preference. Administrative Procedure 6143 - Advanced Placement Program Administrative Procedure 5123.2, General Procedures Pertaining to Promotion, Retention and Acceleration of Students Administrative Procedure 4170 - Discrimination Board Policy 0101 – Educational Equity LAW AND SCHOOL POLICY

References American College of Education. (2023). EL5753 Law and Policy: Module 3 [Balancing Educators’ Individual Rights/Freedoms and Professional Responsibilities]. Canvas. https://ace.instructure.com/courses/1908566/extern al_tools/118428 PGCEA (2022) Negotiated Agreement. https://pgcea.org/negotiated-agreement- 2/#elementor- tab-title-1127 Prince George County Public Schools (2023) Administrative procedures. https://www.pgcps.org/offices/general- counsel/administrative-procedures Prince George County Public Schools (2023) Board of education policies. https://www.pgcps.org/offices/general- counsel/board-policies

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