Photo credit: AP
Rachel Canning, an 18-year-old senior living in New Jersey, made national headlines when the lawsuit she filed against her parents for tuition costs caught the attention of CNN. Canning is suing her parents for the last semester of her private Catholic school tuition, as well as living expenses, claiming she cannot financially support herself and was forced to leave her home in the fall of 2013.
As Risk Manager, you’re job is to ensure that all your school’s processes are as smooth as they can be to limit accidents, risks, and, of course, lawsuits. But, your position does not extend into the family situations of your students that arise without warrant, such as the Canning story.
The Details
CNN portrayed Rachel Cannning as a model student. She has a 3.5 GPA, is an accomplished cheerleader, and has maintained a part-time job waitressing for several years. In the fall of 2013, Rachel’s differences with her parents became unmanageable. Turning to her school for advice, she was directed by both a teacher and the school’s psychologist not to return home due to the conflicts. (High school administrators contacted a number of families looking for a place for Rachel to stay in the interim.) Rachel told the court she was forced to leave due to emotional and psychological mistreatment.
Her parent’s side of the story is somewhat different. The family told the court Rachel didn’t want to live by their rules, which included her ending things with her boyfriend, and willfully left their home—was not forced.
New Jersey’s Division of Child Protection and Permanency interviewed the teen, her parents, and her two younger sisters; ultimately determining “the allegation of emotional abuse was unfounded.”
Judge Bogaard denied the request for the last semester of high school tuition because the school allowed Rachel to continue her education since she was an honor student. Rachel wrote in her court certification that “The peer ministers have decided to raise funds to pay … tuition so I don’t have to leave early.” Judge Bogaard also denied the request for immediate financial assistance, indicating that he didn’t see an emergency situation and would make further decisions at the next hearing.
A Happy Ending
Since the hearing, the family has reunited. In an article her lawyer published, it concludes with “No one can argue it is in everyone’s best interest when families in crisis can resolve their differences themselves, or with the help of a professional, outside of court. I am hopeful that Rachel will have a bright and successful future.”
What Can Be Taken Away From This Case?
There are many details of this situation that aren’t revealed through the media’s coverage. However, just reflecting on what we do know, here are a few tips we suggest for handling negative situations and publicity.
- All documentation revolving around the case/event/situation should be centrally located and locked in a secure area. Treat such documentation the same as you treat personnel records and medical information.
- If this is a family matter, such as in the Canning's example, and not one directly impacting the school (such as lawsuit against your institution), you’ll want to respect the family's privacy. Make it clear to your faculty and staff your school’s policies on talking to the media, community, and your inquisitive families. Remind personnel that they are ambassadors for your school—rumors and gossip should not be tolerated.
- Have an action plan for combating student gossip. “Bullying,” in the sense of both verbal and electronic gossiping and harassment, should be addressed as soon as it is noticed.
- Work with your school’s Communications Team to keep positive school events—such as sport accomplishments, theater productions, teacher awards, charity work, student achievements, etc.—in the spot light. If your school has a PR manager, even better—work with him/her to communicate what is honest and appropriate.
- All members of your Administration Team—and your Board—should be on the same page. Share relevant information as needed. Details and private information of the situation may not need to be distributed. However, all members of your administration should be informed of what is expected of them and how they should react when faced with questions.
Additional ISM articles of interest
Private School News Vol. 10 No. 6 Keeping Communications Open and Flowing in Your School
ISM Monthly Update for School Heads Vol. 10 No. 6 When (Not If) a Crisis Happens, Will You Be Ready?
ISM Monthly Update for Scholl Heads Vol. 9 No. 2 Cutting Tuition Is Not The Answer—Keep Your School Accessible
Additional ISM articles of interest for Gold Consortium members
I&P Vol. 30 No. 8 The True Implications of a ‘Breach of Contract’ Lawsuit
I&P Vol. 38 No. 13 Tuition Discounts and Your School’s Sustainability
