Questioning of Students: Non-Law Enforcement or Child Abuse/Neglect Purposes 5-64.2

School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Regulation 5-64.2

STUDENTS

Questioning of Students: Non-Law Enforcement or Child Abuse/Neglect Purposes

1. Generally

   Any school visitors from outside agencies are considered invitees to School Board property and are expected to adhere to the requirements of School Board Policy 7-17 and School Board Regulation 7-17.1. School visitors from outside agencies who are acting in a capacity to investigate a law enforcement, health, safety or child abuse/neglect matter shall act in accordance with School Board Regulation 5-64.1. All other investigations or interviews of students by school visitors from outside agencies shall be governed by this Regulation.

   The School Board authorizes the Superintendent to take all necessary actions regarding the safety, order and preservation of the educational environment on School Board property or at School Board sponsored activities. To protect students and faculty, to preserve instructional time, and to maintain the confidentiality of students and their records, outside visitors must report to the school office or security desk to sign in and present proper identification in order to receive permission to visit.

2. Probation/Parole or Court Service Unit (CSU)

   In order to visit a student during school hours, the Probation/Parole Officer (PO) must schedule an appointment with the school. The appointment will only be scheduled for non-instructional time, i.e., the student’s lunch hour or study block. The PO must show a proper photo identification indicating that he/she is employed by the Virginia Department of Probation/Parole, the City of Virginia Beach, Court Service Unit or the applicable City/County unit. The PO must provide documentation, in the form of an order from a court of competent jurisdiction or a letter on the applicable agency’s official letterhead, which indicates that there is an open court case for the student and that the PO is authorized to access the student and education records. Upon arrival to the school, the PO must report to the Guidance Office in order to request to meet with the student. The PO will be permitted to meet the student within the school in a private place designated by the principal.

3. Guardian ad Litem (GAL)

   In order to visit a student during school hours, the appointed Guardian ad Litem (GAL) must schedule an appointment with the school. The appointment will only be scheduled for non-instructional time, i.e., the student’s lunch hour or study block. The GAL must show proper photo identification and his/her Virginia State Bar card. In order to visit a student during school hours, the GAL must provide a copy of the court order appointing him/her as GAL for the student. Upon arrival to the school, the GAL must report to the Guidance Office in order to request to meet with the student. The GAL will be permitted to meet the student within the school in a private place designated by the principal.

4. Private Agencies

   In order to protect student’s instructional time and to avoid disruption to the educational environment, private agencies are not permitted to conduct their business at school, which includes interviewing or observing students. The private agency should make alternative arrangements to observe or interview students outside of School Board property or grounds. If the parent, guardian or eligible student (eighteen years of age or older) has provided written permission for the release of the student to such private agency, then the school may release the student to such private agency.

   This provision shall not apply to registered nurses providing services to students throughout the school day for legitimate health care purposes. Any request for a student to have a private registered nurse present in the school during instructional hours should be made in writing to the principal. The request shall be approved by the principal after consultation with the Coordinator for Student Health Services/School Nurses.

5. Access to Student Records

   Requests for access to student records is governed by School Board Policy 5-31.

Related Links

School Board Policy 5-31
School Board Regulation 5-64.1
School Board Policy 7-17
School Board Regulation 7-17.1

Approved by Superintendent: May 23, 2014