School boards may encounter legal complications when they enter into confidential agreements with problem employees. Case studies are presented involving open-records laws, child-abuse reporting laws, fraud and negligent misrepresentation, public policy, and constructive discharge. Recommendations for dealing with settlement agreements are…

A guide to child abuse investigations reviews the following: theories of liability; legal responsibility to report child abuse; legal rights of a school employee accused of child abuse; legal problems that could arise if a school district enters into a secret settlement agreement; insurance concerns; and ways to interact with the press, the…