Class is back in session for students in Arizona’s largest K-12 public school districts.
New-year orientation for school staff may include a refresher on state law requiring them to immediately call law enforcement if they believe a child is being abused.
The practice is called mandatory reporting. So what should a teacher do if child says another teacher hurt them, and if the accused is in a class with other kids?
“Immediately, actually, may need to look like, ‘I need to tell the principal right now.’ And that way the principal can take actions to get that teacher out of that classroom,” said Rachel Mitchell, Maricopa County attorney.
Reporting abuse allegations up the chain is OK, but it does not clear school staff from having to call law enforcement.
“So the teacher can go to the principal and say, ‘Just so you know, Susie just told me this.’ And the two of them should really call the police together,” Mitchell said.
She recommends that school staff call police and the state Department of Child Safety when reporting allegations against a child’s family.
Mitchell is a Republican seeking reelection in November.
