4310: Relations with the Law Enforcement, Child Protective Agencies and the County Health Department

District staff bear the primary responsibility for maintaining proper order and conduct in the schools. Staff will be responsible for holding students accountable for infractions of school rules, which may include minor violations of the law occurring during school hours or at school activities.

However, there are times when district staff will call upon local law enforcement, child protective agencies, and the county health department to ensure the safety and protection of students or staff. When there is substantial, threat to the health and safety of students or others, such as in the case of bomb threats, threats of violence, or threats of substantial bodily harm, staff will call local law enforcement staff for emergency assistance through 911. If the threat is not substantial and immediate, concerns will be taken to building leadership. Information regarding major violations of the law will be communicated to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

The district will strive to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with local law enforcement, child protective authorities, and health department officials. The Superintendent will confer with representatives of these agencies to establish agreed upon procedures. Such procedures should address the handling/reporting of child abuse and neglect allegations/investigations; communicable disease allegations/investigations; criminal allegations/investigations, including bomb threats/other threat assessment, and arrests by law enforcement officers on school premises; the availability of local law enforcement personnel for crowd control; and other matters where the work and duties of the district overlap with these agencies.

References to local law enforcement do not include Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The work of immigration agents does not overlap with the work or duties of the district. The district’s obligation is to educate the children residing within its borders and is not diminished by the children or parents’ immigration status. Further, the district supports the federal immigration enforcement policy that directs immigration agents to avoid questioning and arrests at sensitive locations, including schools. “Immigration agent” shall mean an agent of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, any individuals authorized to conduct enforcement of civil immigration laws under 8 U.S.C. §1357(g) or any other federal law, other federal agents charged with enforcement of civil immigration laws, and any successors.

Staff shall not grant information or access to immigration agents unless approved by the Superintendent or designee.

Cross References

• Board Policy 3231 - Student Records
• Board Policy 3432 - Emergencies
• Board Policy 3414 - Infectious Diseases

Legal References

• RCW 26.44.050 Abuse or neglect of child — Duty of law enforcement agency or department of social and health services — Taking child into custody without court order, when
• RCW 26.44.110 Written statement required
• RCW 26.44.115 Notice required RCW 28A.635.020 Willfully disobeying school administrative personnel or refusing to leave public property, violations, when— Penalty
• RCW 26.44.030 Interviews of Children
• 20 U.S.C. 1232g Family Education Rights and Privacy Act