In recent years, union officials say they've seen a marked increase in the number of teachers calling them for help. Now it's once a day. Conduct an investigation as quickly as possible. Seek out details that will substantiate the accusations. Keep a record of your investigation .
Detailed notes show that school officials took the allegations seriously.
Don't rush to conclusions. Meredith recalls one school board that responded too hastily to a child's accusations by suspending a teacher and publicly stating he would never return to the classroom. The only problem was the student later recanted, and board members found themselves trapped between an innocent teacher whose reputation was ruined and a community that didn't want the teacher around. Put a trained investigator on the case. In Omaha, Neb., several administrators in the human resources department have been trained to conduct investigations.