How to Handle Staff Misconduct

A Practical Guide for School Principals and Supervisors
Second Edition
C. Edward Lawrence - University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA
Myra K. Vachon - Milwaukee Public Schools
How to Handle Staff Misconduct
January 2003 | 144 pages | Corwin
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Hardcover
ISBN: 9780761938149
Available from January 0001

Description

Updated Edition of Bestseller!

"How to Handle Staff Misconduct has simplified the process with its step-by-step format and has removed a lot of the emotions that have previously gone into addressing staff misconduct issues. I've had occasions to put the steps into play and have found them to be logical and straightforward."
Anne Hutcheson, Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel
Bellefonte Area School District, Pennsylvania

"Lawrence and Vachon did an outstanding job of writing guidelines that deal with the core aspects of supervision and documentation without becoming embroiled in state law issues and differences. I wish that I had this book as a guideline when I became a principal. I would have used it to train new hires on my administrative team."
Mary A. King, Director of High School Services
Texas Association of Secondary School Principals

What administrators must know about staff misbehavior and the steps to correct it

Ever-changing laws regarding sexual harassment, teacher accountability, and safety in the workplace, combined with increasingly complex union contracts, have made the handling of staff misconduct a veritable minefield for novice and experienced administrators alike. Fortunately, this expanded and updated second edition of an indispensable resource will clarify all of the steps principals must take to ensure that their schools are run according to the policies and laws that govern them.

In clearly delineated sections, How to Handle Staff Misconduct, Second Edition, offers strategies that include managing excessive tardiness, insubordination, misconduct requiring suspension, and even criminal behaviors. Each section includes an outline of principal responsibilities, and common errors that can interfere with a successful intervention.

In addition, the authors demonstrate:

  • How to use progressive discipline to fairly correct unwanted behaviors
  • How to set up a school-level misconduct meeting
  • Why just cause is a key defense against legal backlash
  • How due process can avoid technical errors during a disciplinary action
  • Why privacy is paramount

Covering everything from the first day of school to the first sign of an infraction, this book guides administrators through all phases of investigation and documentation, and remains an essential resource for any principal or supervisor trying to keep students and staff focused on education.

Contents

List of Progressive Discipline Charts

List of Progressive Discipline Charts

A Cautionary Note

A Cautionary Note

Preface

Preface

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction

Introduction

Part I: General Procedures to Handle Misconduct

  • 1. Strategies to Handle Misconduct
  • Just Cause
  • Due Process
  • Progressive Discipline
  • 2. The Misconduct Investigation
  • Victim/Witness Statement Form
  • Diagram of the Human Body
  • Police Records
  • Photographs and Videotaping
  • 3. School-Level Misconduct Meeting

Part II: Administrative Misconduct Handled by the Principal

  • 4. Unexcused Absence and Excessive Tardiness
  • 5. Neglect of Duty
  • 6. Abuse, Insulting, or Profane Language
  • 7. Corporal Punishment
  • 8. Insubordination

Part III: Serious Misconduct Requiring Immediate Suspension

  • 9. The Immediate Suspension Conference With Hearing Officer
  • 10. The School Board Hearing

Part IV: Criminal Misconduct

  • 11. Sexual Misconduct
  • 12. Abuse of Controlled Substances
  • 13. Theft and Fraud
  • 14. Criminal Misconduct Outside the School Setting
  • RESOURCES
  • Resource A: Standards of Acceptable Conduct for Staff Members
  • Resource B: Letter to Schedule an Oral Reprimand Conference
  • Resource C: Major Components of an Oral Warning
  • Resource D: Letter to Schedule a Misconduct Meeting
  • Resource E: First Letter of Reprimand - Major Components
  • Resource F: Second Letter of Reprimand - Major Components
  • Resource G: Allegation of Staff Misconduct Standard Report Form
  • Resource H: Diagram of Human Body
  • Resource I: Misconduct Meeting at the School Level
  • Resource J: Misconduct Meeting With Hearing Officer
  • Resource K: Letter to the Media About Criminal Misconduct
  • References
  • Index

Description

Updated Edition of Bestseller!

"How to Handle Staff Misconduct has simplified the process with its step-by-step format and has removed a lot of the emotions that have previously gone into addressing staff misconduct issues. I've had occasions to put the steps into play and have found them to be logical and straightforward."
Anne Hutcheson, Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel
Bellefonte Area School District, Pennsylvania

"Lawrence and Vachon did an outstanding job of writing guidelines that deal with the core aspects of supervision and documentation without becoming embroiled in state law issues and differences. I wish that I had this book as a guideline when I became a principal. I would have used it to train new hires on my administrative team."
Mary A. King, Director of High School Services
Texas Association of Secondary School Principals

What administrators must know about staff misbehavior and the steps to correct it

Ever-changing laws regarding sexual harassment, teacher accountability, and safety in the workplace, combined with increasingly complex union contracts, have made the handling of staff misconduct a veritable minefield for novice and experienced administrators alike. Fortunately, this expanded and updated second edition of an indispensable resource will clarify all of the steps principals must take to ensure that their schools are run according to the policies and laws that govern them.

In clearly delineated sections, How to Handle Staff Misconduct, Second Edition, offers strategies that include managing excessive tardiness, insubordination, misconduct requiring suspension, and even criminal behaviors. Each section includes an outline of principal responsibilities, and common errors that can interfere with a successful intervention.

In addition, the authors demonstrate:

  • How to use progressive discipline to fairly correct unwanted behaviors
  • How to set up a school-level misconduct meeting
  • Why just cause is a key defense against legal backlash
  • How due process can avoid technical errors during a disciplinary action
  • Why privacy is paramount

Covering everything from the first day of school to the first sign of an infraction, this book guides administrators through all phases of investigation and documentation, and remains an essential resource for any principal or supervisor trying to keep students and staff focused on education.

Contents

List of Progressive Discipline Charts

List of Progressive Discipline Charts

A Cautionary Note

A Cautionary Note

Preface

Preface

About the Author

About the Author

Introduction

Introduction

Part I: General Procedures to Handle Misconduct

  • 1. Strategies to Handle Misconduct
  • Just Cause
  • Due Process
  • Progressive Discipline
  • 2. The Misconduct Investigation
  • Victim/Witness Statement Form
  • Diagram of the Human Body
  • Police Records
  • Photographs and Videotaping
  • 3. School-Level Misconduct Meeting

Part II: Administrative Misconduct Handled by the Principal

  • 4. Unexcused Absence and Excessive Tardiness
  • 5. Neglect of Duty
  • 6. Abuse, Insulting, or Profane Language
  • 7. Corporal Punishment
  • 8. Insubordination

Part III: Serious Misconduct Requiring Immediate Suspension

  • 9. The Immediate Suspension Conference With Hearing Officer
  • 10. The School Board Hearing

Part IV: Criminal Misconduct

  • 11. Sexual Misconduct
  • 12. Abuse of Controlled Substances
  • 13. Theft and Fraud
  • 14. Criminal Misconduct Outside the School Setting
  • RESOURCES
  • Resource A: Standards of Acceptable Conduct for Staff Members
  • Resource B: Letter to Schedule an Oral Reprimand Conference
  • Resource C: Major Components of an Oral Warning
  • Resource D: Letter to Schedule a Misconduct Meeting
  • Resource E: First Letter of Reprimand - Major Components
  • Resource F: Second Letter of Reprimand - Major Components
  • Resource G: Allegation of Staff Misconduct Standard Report Form
  • Resource H: Diagram of Human Body
  • Resource I: Misconduct Meeting at the School Level
  • Resource J: Misconduct Meeting With Hearing Officer
  • Resource K: Letter to the Media About Criminal Misconduct
  • References
  • Index
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How to Handle Staff Misconduct

A Practical Guide for School Principals and Supervisors


January 2003 | 144 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Hardcover 27/02/2023 9780761938149 $79.95
Paperback 01/01/2025 9780761938156 $40.95

Updated Edition of Bestseller!

"How to Handle Staff Misconduct has simplified the process with its step-by-step format and has removed a lot of the emotions that have previously gone into addressing staff misconduct issues. I've had occasions to put the steps into play and have found them to be logical and straightforward."
Anne Hutcheson, Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel
Bellefonte Area School District, Pennsylvania

"Lawrence and Vachon did an outstanding job of writing guidelines that deal with the core aspects of supervision and documentation without becoming embroiled in state law issues and differences. I wish that I had this book as a guideline when I became a principal. I would have used it to train new hires on my administrative team."
Mary A. King, Director of High School Services
Texas Association of Secondary School Principals

What administrators must know about staff misbehavior and the steps to correct it

Ever-changing laws regarding sexual harassment, teacher accountability, and safety in the workplace, combined with increasingly complex union contracts, have made the handling of staff misconduct a veritable minefield for novice and experienced administrators alike. Fortunately, this expanded and updated second edition of an indispensable resource will clarify all of the steps principals must take to ensure that their schools are run according to the policies and laws that govern them.

In clearly delineated sections, How to Handle Staff Misconduct, Second Edition, offers strategies that include managing excessive tardiness, insubordination, misconduct requiring suspension, and even criminal behaviors. Each section includes an outline of principal responsibilities, and common errors that can interfere with a successful intervention.

In addition, the authors demonstrate:

  • How to use progressive discipline to fairly correct unwanted behaviors
  • How to set up a school-level misconduct meeting
  • Why just cause is a key defense against legal backlash
  • How due process can avoid technical errors during a disciplinary action
  • Why privacy is paramount

Covering everything from the first day of school to the first sign of an infraction, this book guides administrators through all phases of investigation and documentation, and remains an essential resource for any principal or supervisor trying to keep students and staff focused on education.


Table Of Contents:

  • List of Progressive Discipline Charts
  • A Cautionary Note
  • Preface
  • About the Author
  • Introduction
  • Part I: General Procedures to Handle Misconduct
  • 1. Strategies to Handle Misconduct
  • Just Cause
  • Due Process
  • Progressive Discipline
  • 2. The Misconduct Investigation
  • Victim/Witness Statement Form
  • Diagram of the Human Body
  • Police Records
  • Photographs and Videotaping
  • 3. School-Level Misconduct Meeting
  • Part II: Administrative Misconduct Handled by the Principal
  • 4. Unexcused Absence and Excessive Tardiness
  • 5. Neglect of Duty
  • 6. Abuse, Insulting, or Profane Language
  • 7. Corporal Punishment
  • 8. Insubordination
  • Part III: Serious Misconduct Requiring Immediate Suspension
  • 9. The Immediate Suspension Conference With Hearing Officer
  • 10. The School Board Hearing
  • Part IV: Criminal Misconduct
  • 11. Sexual Misconduct
  • 12. Abuse of Controlled Substances
  • 13. Theft and Fraud
  • 14. Criminal Misconduct Outside the School Setting
  • RESOURCES
  • Resource A: Standards of Acceptable Conduct for Staff Members
  • Resource B: Letter to Schedule an Oral Reprimand Conference
  • Resource C: Major Components of an Oral Warning
  • Resource D: Letter to Schedule a Misconduct Meeting
  • Resource E: First Letter of Reprimand - Major Components
  • Resource F: Second Letter of Reprimand - Major Components
  • Resource G: Allegation of Staff Misconduct Standard Report Form
  • Resource H: Diagram of Human Body
  • Resource I: Misconduct Meeting at the School Level
  • Resource J: Misconduct Meeting With Hearing Officer
  • Resource K: Letter to the Media About Criminal Misconduct
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"How to Handle Staff Misconduct has simplified the process with its step-by-step format and has removed a lot of the emotions that have previously gone into addressing staff misconduct issues. I’ve had occasions to put the steps into play and have found them to be logical and straightforward."
Anne Hutcheson, Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel, Bellefonte Area School District, Pennsylvania
"Lawrence and Vachon did an outstanding job of writing guidelines that deal with the core aspects of supervision and documentation without becoming embroiled in state law issues and differences. I wish that I had this book as a guideline when I became a principal. I would have used it to train new hires on my administrative team."
Mary A. King, Director of High School Services, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals
“Especially valuable is the advice on establishing standards of acceptable conduct for staff members, including the outlines of a progressive disciplinary process to correct unwanted behaviors.”
The School Administrator, December, 2003

Recommendations