Compliance specialist to principals: Call before it’s a crisis 

Q:  I’m a compliance specialist in a large district in New York. I’ve worked in my department for years, so I’ve learned how to handle a wide range of issues. Some of the same scenarios pop up year after year, and very few things stump me. And yet, the same principals reach out to me over and over again, while other principals never ask for help. I wish they’d all call me when it’s a 411 rather than a 911! At that point, I’m extinguishing fires and my job is exponentially harder. I’m thinking of one principal in particular who didn’t consult me before talking publicly about a sexual harassment issue involving a coach and a female athlete at his school. He violated the student’s confidentiality and gave the false impression that he didn’t take the incident seriously. The parent community called for his head on a plate. I’m not a miracle worker, but that was entirely avoidable. I can save a principal’s reputation or at least spare him a headache. I don’t know what keeps the reticent ones from seeking my guidance. Maybe they don’t understand what compliance specialists do, don’t want to appear weak, or don’t want to bother me. I try to explain my role when opportunities present themselves, but I’m obviously not doing enough. Can you help me figure out how to change this?