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Illinois School Board Journal
May/June 2005

Essential concepts for investigations
by Brian A. Braun

1. Do not involve school board members in the investigation of alleged misconduct by either students or employees. To ensure adequate due process, the board must be the impartial jury.

2. Be sensitive to the constitutional rights of students and employees.

3. Become familiar with the different roles played by other government agencies that are involved with students, in particular.

4. Know the difference between school investigations and police investigations, know when each is appropriate or necessary and when the school attorney needs to become involved.

5. Act with all "deliberate speed," but be thorough in gathering evidence and wary of rushing to personal judgments.