Series 4000: District Employment

During the performance of their duties, employees must exercise due care for the safety and welfare of the District’s students. 

A. Required Reports to CPS, District administration, and Michigan State Police

1. A reporter must: (a) promptly notify the Superintendent or designee and the building principal of the report; and (b) submit an electronic or written report to CPS within the statutory timeframe. Failure to make an immediate report or follow-up with an electronic or written report may result in discipline, including discharge, as well as criminal or civil penalties. CPS may be contacted at 855-444-3911 or www.michigan/gov/mdhhs.

Administrators, teachers, counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, and others identified as mandatory reporters pursuant to Michigan’s Child Protection Law must immediately report all instances of suspected child abuse or neglect to CPS. Other employees are also expected to make reports to CPS of suspected child abuse or neglect.

2. Employees must promptly report to the building principal or the Superintendent or designee any instances of injury (accidental or intentional), violence, threats of violence, self-harm, hazards, or any other situation that endangers student safety and welfare or raises reasonable concerns as to the safety of students.

3. Employees must promptly report to the building principal or the Superintendent or designee incidents of student bullying and crimes or attempted crimes involving physical violence, gang-related activity, illegal possession of a controlled substance or controlled substance analogue, or other intoxicant, trespassing, and property crimes, including theft and vandalism

Within 24 hours of an alleged incident, an administrator must make an appropriate report to the Michigan State Police as required by law.

4. Within 24 hours of an alleged incident, an administrator must make an appropriate report to the Michigan State Police as required by law.

B. Student Safety and Welfare

1. Employees will maintain control and supervision of students to ensure student safety and will take appropriate action if the employee observes an unsafe or dangerous situation.

2. Employees will treat students with respect and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students both in and out of school. Employees © 2022 must avoid conduct with students that potentially creates the appearance of an unprofessional, unethical, or inappropriate relationship. Romantic relationships between employees and students are prohibited regardless of the student’s age, including following graduation where the relationship arises out of an employee-student relationship.

3. An employee will not assess, diagnose, prescribe, or provide therapy or counseling services to a student unless: (a) the employee is appropriately certified or licensed under Michigan law; and (b) the services are within the employee’s job duties. An employee will direct students in need of these services to the appropriate District employee or community resource. 

4. Employees will comply with and respect confidentiality of student records and privacy rights, including not posting student information or images online without prior authorization from the employee’s supervisor.

5. Employees will not interfere with or adversely impact a parent’s/guardian’s right to determine and direct their student’s care, wellbeing, teaching, and education.

6. Pursuant to the state’s 2013 Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children, the Board authorizes the Superintendent or designee to consider and implement all of the following:

a. age-appropriate, evidence-based curriculum and instruction for students in grades pre-K to 5 concerning child sexual abuse awareness and prevention;

b. training for District personnel on child sexual abuse, including but not limited to, training on supportive, appropriate response to disclosure of abuse;

c. providing educational information to Parents on the warning signs of a child being sexually abused and information on needed assistance, referral, or resources;

d. available counseling and resources for students affected by sexual abuse;

e. emotional and educational support for a students affected by sexual abuse; and

 f. a review of the system to educate and support personnel who are legally required to report child abuse or neglect.]

Legal authority: MCL 380.10, 380.1308, 380.1308a, 380.1310a; MCL 388.1766; MCL 722.621 et seq.

Dated adopted: 08/09/2021

Date revised: 06/19/2023, 7/16/2024