The Board of Education is concerned with the physical and mental well-being of the students of this District and will cooperate in the identification and reporting of cases of child abuse or neglect in accordance with law.

Each employee of this District who knows or suspects child abuse or neglect shall be responsible for reporting the suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with the Superintendent's guidelines. Such reporting shall be required in every case that reasonably indicates that a child under the age of eighteen (18) or a physically or mentally disabled child under the age of twenty-one (21) has suffered or faces the threat of suffering a physical or mental injury.

A professional staff member or appropriate administrator in the presence of the staff member shall immediately call the local office of the Department of Human Services, the Children's Services Board, or the appropriate local law enforcement agency and shall secure prompt medical attention to any such injuries reported.

S/He shall also notify the appropriate administrator according to the District's Reporting Procedure for Student Abuse or Neglect.

Any classified staff member shall immediately report any such case to the administrator who shall, in turn, immediately notify the Department of Human Services, the Children's Services Board, or the appropriate local law enforcement agency.

The identity of the reporting person shall be confidential, subject only to disclosure by consent or court order. Information concerning alleged child abuse of a student is confidential information and is not to be shared with any unauthorized person. A staff member who violates this policy may be subject to disciplinary action and/or civil and/or criminal penalties.

Each director should be mindful of the possibility of physical or mental abuse being inflicted on a student by an employee. Any such instances, whether real or alleged, should be dealt with in accordance with the administrative guidelines established by the Superintendent.

In accordance with law, the Board will provide appropriate instruction on personal safety and assault prevention to all students. The Superintendent shall consult with public and/or private agencies or individuals involved in child abuse prevention and intervention to ensure the programs are appropriate and effective. In addition, the Superintendent shall provide a program of in-service education. All newly-employed professional staff shall complete at least four (4) hours of in-service training within three (3) years of the date of employment.

R.C. 2151.421, 3313.60, 3319.073