Unprofessional Conduct - 5021

Unprofessional Conduct

The Board of Directors recognizes its responsibility to protect students from physical and/or emotional harm. Staff members are expected to exhibit "good moral character and personal fitness" as they teach or supervise students. Staff members shall not engage in unprofessional conduct.

Contact with Students

The Board believes that employees ought to exercise caution in becoming overly involved in the personal lives of students outside of school including employees becoming involved in or counseling students on legal guardianship and family issues.  Employees are discouraged from driving students anywhere for a purpose that is not directly related to that student’s education and the employee’s educational responsibilities.  After-hours or off-campus social contact between staff and students unrelated to school activities should occur with parents or other adults present.   Overly close involvement in a student’s private life may threaten the staff member’s ability to maintain the professional distance and objectivity necessary to effectively instruct and lead students in a school setting.

Duty to Report

Supervisory staff are expected to evaluate reports or complaints of an employee’s personal conduct with students outside of school to determine whether the District has a legitimate interest in the matter. In those situations where the personal conduct complained of would impact an employee’s ability to perform his or her job duties, investigation is warranted.

The District has a duty to respond to anonymous, unwritten and/or vague complaints about school employee conduct. While the District is appropriately cautious about overreacting to such complaints, it is vital that in all cases, appropriate documentation and follow-up be made.  The fact that a complaining party refuses to identify him or herself, or declines to place the allegations in writing, does not alleviate the District’s responsibility.

Although such concerns and reports should be handled discreetly, any employee who develops a suspicion or receives a report of employee misconduct must share such information, with his or her supervisor.

Cross References:

Board Policy 5255 Disciplinary Action and Discharge

Legal References:

RCW 28A.400.320  Mandatory termination of classified employees
RCW 28A.405.470  Mandatory termination of certified employees
RCW 28A.410.090  Revocation of Authority teach--Method--Grounds
RCW 28A.410.100  Revocation of authority to teach--Hearings and appeals
RCW 28A.410.110  Reinstatement prohibited for crimes
WAC 181-86 Policies and procedures for admin of cert proceedings
WAC 181-87 Acts of Unprofessional Conduct
WAC 181-75-034  Cert Revocation Initiation of Proceedings
WAC 181-75-035  Certificate Revocation
WAC 181-75-037  Certificate Revocation--Grounds for Revocation
WAC 181-75-039  Duty of ESD Superintendent, Dist Supt and Private School Admin to File Complaints
WAC 181-75-043  Unprofessional Conduct for Failure to File a Complaint
WAC 181-75-081  Good Moral Character and Personal Fitness--Definition

Adoption Date: 9/25/07