Employees should not press the child to determine facts surrounding suspected abuse or neglect. School Board personnel should never conduct a formal interview. However, school employees should carefully note any information volunteered by the youngster. Formal interviewing of the student is a responsibility of the Tennessee Department of Human Services. If the Tennessee Department of Human Services personnel conduct an interview on school premises, the principal or assistant principal shall be present.
Parental permission is unnecessary.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act makes an exception for information that involves health or safety. However, the usual procedure for documenting that records have been viewed will be followed. The Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age.