1411 - WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION

The Governing Board expects all its employees to be honest and ethical in their conduct, and to comply with applicable laws and regulations, Governing Board policies. The Governing Board encourages staff to report possible violations of these Governing Board expectations to their immediate supervisors.

It is the responsibility of an employee who is aware of conduct on the part of any Governing Board member or employee that possibly violates applicable laws and regulations, or Governing Board policy, to call this conduct to the attention of his/her immediate supervisor. If the employee’s immediate supervisor is not responsive or is the employee whose behavior is in question, the employee may report to the Superintendent. If the reported conduct relates to the Superintendent, the report may be filed directly with the Governing Board President.

After such a report is made, the immediate supervisor shall ask that employee’s report be put in writing. Any employee making such a report shall be protected from discipline, retaliation, or reprisal for making such report as long as the employee made a reasonable and good faith effort to determine the accuracy of any information reported. Employees are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination, for purposely, knowingly, or recklessly making a false report under this policy. Conversely, employees are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination, if they are aware of a violation of Federal, State, or local law that the Governing Board has the authority to correct, and they do not make a report confirmed in writing to their immediate supervisor.

In the case of reporting suspected fraud or fraudulent activity, an employee may file a report using the Auditor of State’s system for reporting of fraud. This reporting mechanism may be used either in addition to or instead of filing a written report with the employee’s supervisor or other ESC authority.

© Neola 2012