Interviews with Students

The school district has legal custody of students during the school day. It is the responsibility of the school administration to make an effort to protect each student’s rights with respect to interrogations by non-school officials. The interviewing of students by anyone other than school district personnel may be conducted only after permission to conduct such an interview has been granted by the building principal or designee. For the purpose of this policy, transportation supervisors shall be considered school district personnel.

A principal will not, without parental or guardian consent, grant permission to conduct an interview with a minor student when, in the judgment of the principal, the results of such an interview could lead to criminal prosecution of the student. Exceptions to this restriction include:

1. When a court order is presented by a recognized official who grants permission for an interview to take place.
2. When the administrator believes that unless an interview takes place immediately, clear and imminent danger could exist for the student or others.
3. When investigating school related incidents, the school liaison officer would be considered a “school official.” An attempt will be made to contact parents to inform them of the request. Parental consent or notification is not required when a recognized official, is carrying out his or her responsibilities to investigate a possible case of child abuse, requests permission to interview a suspected child abuse victim (see Reporting of Child Abuse/Neglect Policy – Policy JHF), or when a court order precludes or eliminates the need for parental notification.