An Administrator's Guide to California Private School Law Compendium

D OCUMENT 12.D

S AMPLE S TATEMENT A ND Q UESTIONS F OR U SE A T T HE B EGINNING O F T HE I NVESTIGATIVE I NTERVIEW Good morning. The date is ____, and the time is ____ and we are in the ______. As you know, I am [insert name and title]. As I told you before, I am tape recording this meeting. I tape record all the interviews. It is the best way for me to recall what is said and to have an accurate record of what is said, the questions I asked, and your answers. Could you please state and spell your name. [OPTION 1 (FOR COMPLAINANT):The school has asked me to conduct an investigation into allegations that you made that a school policy(ies) has been violated. I am meeting with you as part of that investigation and to ask you for information that relates to the allegations. [OPTION 2 (FOR SUBJECT):The school has asked me to conduct an investigation into allegations that you violated school policy(ies). I am meeting with you as part of that investigation and to ask you for information that relates to the allegations. [OPTION 3 (FOR WITNESS):The school has asked me to conduct an investigation into allegations that school policy(ies) has been violated. I am meeting with you as part of that investigation and to ask you for information that relates to the allegations. As an employee of the school, you are obligated to answer my questions truthfully and accurately. Any failure to do so will be grounds for disciplinary action. Therefore, I want to make sure that you understand my questions. If you do not understand a question, please let me know and I will be happy to explain it to you or rephrase it. I want you to feel comfortable. If you would like to use the bathroom, get a drink of water, or have a short rest break at any time during the interview, please let me know and we will go ahead and take a short break.

Do you understand what I’ve said so far? Do you have any questions before we begin?

An Administrator’s Guide to California Private School Law - Compendium ©2019 Liebert Cassidy Whitmore 199