• Maintain the confidentiality of student information in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Policy Act (FERPA), the IDEA, and OSPI. • Refrain from providing legal advice to either party regarding the IDEA, OSPI WAC 392-172A, or any other applicable law. • Maintain a neutral relationship with the parties. • Review the allegations contained in the complaint and the issues identified by OSPI. • Review documentation provided by the LEA in response to the complaint, and determine if additional information may be needed from complainant and/or LEA. • Review the complainant’s reply to the LEA’s response to the complaint to determine whether additional information may be needed. • Conduct interviews of LEA staff and/or the complainant as needed. • Prepare a draft decision for review by OSPI within fifty (50) calendar days of assignment by the OSPI unless a time extension is granted because of exceptional circumstances, or the parties agree in writing to extend the timelines to resolve the dispute through an alternative dispute resolution option. The decision document shall contain procedural history, legal standards, findings of fact proposed conclusions, and if necessary, proposed corrective actions related to the complaint for review by inspection of record. • Return all documents to OSPI upon completion of the investigation. • Notify OSPI of any potential conflicts of interest regarding a particular district or investigation as soon as possible. Conflicts of interest may include, but are not limited to, employment or contract with the school district that is the subject of the investigation; existing or previous relationships with individuals who are involved in the investigation.
