Denver school principals Monday were read the letter of the law about when they should report a crime, coming a month after a principal was served with a summons for failing to make a timely report.
The session was during the quarterly principal institute, a workshop for the school leaders. Denver Public Schools legal team provided the principals with a procedural checklist on when authorities should be called and what should be done when sexual assault or child abuse is alleged.
Nicole Veltze, 37, principal of Skinner Middle School in northwest Denver, will appear in court Feb. 21 on charges she failed to report child abuse to authorities over an incident involving students.
Veltze has been temporarily removed from her position and is still working for the district in the administration building.
Veltze’s attorney said his client conducted an independent investigation into the allegation that a student was sexually harassed by another student.
DPS attorneys on Monday told principals they should not question either the victim or the accused student and should immediately notify police.
“Regardless of the age of (the) student being accused, notify police. They will make a determination as to what needs to be done,” according to a memo given to principals.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
