Legal Question in Education Law in California
Last Friday I picked up my 9 yr old daughter early from school. Office staff failed to ask for my I.d. or verify my relationship to her. I asked the staff their school policy on a child being picked up & taken off grounds. I was informed that they must check I.d and verify with emergency card who is authorized to pick up a student. This is a big concern to me, the school violated their policy and released my daughter to me w/out verifiyng me identity, until I questioned them. Can I hold the school liable for violating policy & placing my child at risk? This is a serious matter, my daughter has court ordered supervised visits with her biological mother, I don't want the schools negligence to affect her safety or life.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Assuming that the school personnel did not recognize you as a parent, you can complain to the principal and the relevant school board. The problem is there are no damages as far as the liability issue is concerned. You might be able to obtain a transfer to a different school, but hopefully the present school has learned from this experience. Have you made the school aware of the limit on visitation for the mother?
Hello:
I would suggest filing a written complaint with the Board and/or Superintendent. Ensure they have all court paperwork limiting to whom they are to release your daughter. Also, meet with the Principal, and all relevant office personnel to ensure they do check every single time. You have to first handle YOUR situation, then complain more broadly.
You may also want to look into a filing with the local county grand jury if you can't get anywhere.
If you are still worried about this- a letter from an attorney would not hurt, even at this early stage!
Michelle Ball
http://www.edlaw4students.com
Helping parents and students since 1995
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