Viewpoints: Letters / Opinions
The Edwards' Mess
By
John Harrington
January 14, 2019
Monday PM
Dear Editor:
The Ketchikan School Board investigation into the Edwards' mess has been completed. The Executive Summary is available. The School Board is busy preparing for alterations in their policies. Great.
Now, it is time for a community response. I am not a lawyer, nor do I have significant knowledge of the intricacies of the law, but as I review State of Alaska websites it appears that required notification to authorities were not made. If my reading of statutory requirement for notification is correct, then it is time for a Grand Jury to be convened to investigate possible criminal violations committed by Superintendent Boyle, school administrators, and others.
If timely notifications had been made years ago, subsequent abuse could have been prevented, and that is indeed criminal.
Excerpts from a State of Alaska Website:
In response to the crucial need for intervention in child abuse and neglect cases, Alaska, like all other states, requires by law that certain groups of people formally report confirmed and suspected child abuse and neglect.
Who are mandated reporters:
The following persons who, in the performance of their professional duties, have reasonable cause to suspect that a child has suffered harm as a result of abuse or neglect, must immediately (as soon as reasonably possible-no later than 24 hours) report that information to the nearest office of the state s Department of Health & Social Services, Office of Children s Services:
School teachers and school administrative staff members, including athletic coaches, of public and private schools;
A person required by law to file a report of abuse or neglect who willfully or knowingly fails or refuses to do so is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
John Harrington
Ketchikan, Alaska
About: Former School Board and Borough Assembly member.
Related: Added By Editor:
Alaska, like all other states, requires by law that certain groups of people formally report confirmed and suspected child abuse and neglect.
Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect in Alaska
http://dhss.alaska.gov/ocs/Pages/publications/reportingchildabuse.aspx
Executive Summary: Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Investigation December 30, 2018 pdf
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
https://education.alaska.gov/ptpc
Alaska Code of Ethics & Teaching Standards
https://education.alaska.gov/ptpc/pdf/coe.pdf
Editor's Note:
The text of this letter was NOT edited by the SitNews Editor.
Received January 14, 2019
- Published January 14, 2019
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