What type of behavior can lead to liability for school employees?

Liability for school employees primarily arises from negligent behavior that results in harm to students or others within the school environment. Negligent behavior encompasses actions or omissions that a reasonable person would not take in similar circumstances, leading to an unreasonable risk of injury. For example, if a teacher fails to supervise students adequately during an activity, and a student is injured as a result, that teacher may be held liable for negligence.

In contrast, engaging in constructive criticism, participating in professional development, and conducting surveys among students are actions typically associated with positive professional conduct that fosters improvement and communication within the educational environment. These behaviors, when carried out appropriately and responsibly, do not inherently expose school employees to liability. However, if any of these actions were executed in a way that negligently disregarded the well-being of students, they could potentially result in liability, but that's not the nature of these actions themselves. Hence, the focus on negligent behavior specifically highlights the legal responsibilities of school employees to ensure student safety and the potential consequences of failing to uphold that duty.