What do I do now that I have reported my boss?

Question

My anonymous stature is all but gone at this point so I can ask away and hopefully get a bunch of answers to help me formulate a plan.
I will try to add details if this is too vague
in short:
my boss failed to report a child abuse case involving one of our OWN employees and her daughter, who is also a student in our pre-k.
so, the other employees did it for her
she's apparently in hot water and may or may not have a suspended license.
I'm one of the ones who reported her.
Now, with all of this she has a dog in the facility illegally and last week her "puppy" bit one of my students. She did not leave a mark or break skin BUT scared the daylights out of my student.
my student is autistic and has now said "doggy bite me" but her parents have no knowledge of the dog! Her parents are ignoring her! When an autistic speaks up its a BIG DEAL!!!

I have reported her again but do I tell her parents?
As I said the dog did not hurt her. Do I tell the others?

To add details that may help:

the inspector for state licensing has been made aware (obviously)
BUT...the last four times they have been to our school, my boss has hidden the dog or sent another employee out "to lunch" with the dog toting behind.

My boss is on a vacation in Hawaii and will return on the 11th.

until then I plan to keep my children away from this dog but I need to know what my rights are as a teacher in reference to communicating situations with the parents of my children!

I value my job with all my heart and at the moment have no other job lined up. I'm working on getting another job asap but have to wait for responses to my applications/resumes

can my boss sue me if I inform the parent of the child that she was bitten by a dog in my facility????

Answer 1

I don't know what state you are in but in NC you are allowed to make an anonymous report of any violation. If you have such a system in place I would report the violation and tell the agency that your boss has hidden the dog from them on several of their visits so that it's best to drop in on her unexpectedly.

I think you need to contact your boss's boss or some hotline for reporting company problems so that an investigation can be launched. This lady obviously has issues and has no right heading a program for young children. Depending on who you work for, the company may have some nonretaliation policy. If so I would talk to the parents of the child and prepare yourself to get fired. Please keep in mind though that the longer you wait to tell them the less trusting they will be of you and wonder what else you might have hidden from them pertaining to their child. Hopefully this will not become an issue again (another child gets bitten) but if it does you MUST call the parents immediately since the child may be exposed to rabies and will require vaccination asap. You can deal with the parental aftermath later.

Answer 2

WOW! Thank you for being an advocate of these children. As a parent, I think you have done the right thing in reporting your boss. That person does NOT belong in the educational system.
I think you should tell the parents. Communication is such an important tool between teachers & parents. I'm surprised the parents are ignoring her. This may be a good "teaching" moment to let them know how important it is to listen, because it REALLY DID HAPPEN. What if they ignored her when she said "person touched me"? Good luck, hope your boss gets canned!! (And removed from children)

Answer 3

What a mess! Your boss sounds crazy! Why in the world would she bring a dog to school and keep it there? Anyway, figuring out your boss' sanity is not what you asked about.

As far as what you need to do, you need to make sure YOU stay out of legal trouble. You did the right thing by reporting the suspected abuse. Failure to report can lead to problems. Let that process run its course and help out as much as you can.

The dog? Wow...um...

I would contact the social worker and ask what to do. I say that because it seems that will keep you in the clear. Imagine the legal repercussions if they fired you for doing something the social worker said you should do.

Most important thing: document EVERYTHING. Write down the exact date and time and what happened.

I'm not a lawyer, so feel free to seek legal advice. I'm just offering up what I would do in the situation. Remember you're there for the children - not for anyone else (even yourself). You're in a difficult situation and I hope it improves. Keep us updated.

Matt

Answer 4

I would document everything (dates and times, pictures). I would also try to meet with your licensing consultant and let them know what you've seen and what your concerns are. You also should let them know that they need to do several suprise inspections. By letting the parents know what's going on, you are protecting yourself from legal action. Your job is to be an advocate for your students. They cannot speak up for themselves, so you have to. Let the DHS/CPS workers know you are telling the parents what has happened. I would also advise you to get any higher-ups at the agency involved (your boss's boss).

Answer 5

wow...what a predicament!
well as someone who is an educator i know you legally have to report child abuse...so it is by no fault of you to do so...its a horrible thing, and if your boss had seen it she should have as well.
and i think you should tell the parents about the dog...if they ever found out you didnt tell them they could sue...and i think its good you have reported her again...but im worried about this childs parents not listening to her? she is a special child as every one of them is but because she has autism, all the more reason for them to not be, dare i say, neglectful. but definately tell them about the dog they have the right to know about the child and if it was your child wouldnt you want to know? i would!!!
best of luck

Answer 6

take a picture of the dog! show it to the authorities. You should tell the parents before they finally hear what the child is saying, and report you for it