An Administrator's Guide to California Private School Law

5. Strength As A Witness ..............................................................................................................438 B. When To Use An Outside Investigator ................................................................................................438 C. Investigator Determines The Facts.......................................................................................................438 D. Using An Attorney To Conduct An Investigation................................................................................438 E. Using An Attorney To Direct A Third Party Investigation ..................................................................440 F. Must An Outside Investigator Be A Licensed Private Investigator?....................................................440 Section 4 Beginning The Investigation ................................................................................................................441 A. Preliminary Issues To Consider Prior To Starting The Investigation...................................................441 B. Possible Interim Steps ..........................................................................................................................441 C. When Do You Advise The Employee Or Student That He Or She Is The Subject Of An Investigation? .......................................................................................................................................442 D. Communications With The Board........................................................................................................443 E. Communications With The School Community And The General Public...........................................443 F. What If The Subject Matter Of The Investigation Implicates Possible Criminal Conduct in Addition to Possible Policy Violations?...............................................................................................444 G. Have A Good General Knowledge Of School Policy Regarding The Conduct Alleged......................444 Section 5 Gathering the Facts ..............................................................................................................................445 A. Create A Binder....................................................................................................................................446 B. Background Documents .......................................................................................................................446 1. Personnel And Student Files .....................................................................................................446 2. Prior Complaints........................................................................................................................447 C. Documentary And Physical Evidence..................................................................................................447 D. Interviews.............................................................................................................................................447 1. Goals Of The Interviews ...........................................................................................................447 2. Preparation For The Interviews .................................................................................................448 3. Interview Protocol .....................................................................................................................456 4. Interview Strategies ...................................................................................................................463 5. Special Considerations When Interviewing Students................................................................467 E. Concluding The Investigation ..............................................................................................................468 Section 6 Evaluating The Facts............................................................................................................................468 A. Review The Investigation Binder.........................................................................................................468 B. Make Factual Findings .........................................................................................................................469 1. Basic Factual Findings ..............................................................................................................469 2. Burden of Proof .........................................................................................................................469 3. Credibility Determinations ........................................................................................................470 C. Make Conclusions Of Policy Only– If Directed To Do So ..................................................................472 Section 7 Writing the Report................................................................................................................................473 A. Contents Of The Report .......................................................................................................................473 B. Attachments To The Report .................................................................................................................473 C. Confidentiality Of Investigation Report: How Much Can Or Should Be Disclosed To The Complainant Or The Accused? ............................................................................................................474 1. How Much Do You Tell The Complainant? .............................................................................474 2. How Much To Tell The Accused ..............................................................................................474 Section 8 Taking Corrective Action.....................................................................................................................475 C HAPTER 13 - S TUDENT A PPLICATIONS A ND E NROLLMENT C ONTRACTS ...........................................................475 Section 1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................................475 Section 2 Student Admissions Applications ........................................................................................................475 A. Requests For Student Photographs.......................................................................................................475 B. Letters Of Recommendation ................................................................................................................476 1. Pupil Records ............................................................................................................................476 2. Maintenance Of Letters Of Recommendation ...........................................................................476 C. Confirmation Of Good Standing ..........................................................................................................476 D. Gender..................................................................................................................................................477

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