After completion of a preliminary or full investigation, the department may dismiss the complaint, determine that appropriate and sufficient punishment has been imposed by the school entity, participate in alternative dispute resolution process, enter into a written settlement agreement with the educator or initiate the formal adjudicatory hearing process with the filing of charges with the commission. If the complaint is dismissed or otherwise resolved without the filing of charges with the commission, the department shall inform the educator, the complainant and the school entity of its resolution of the complaint.
24 P.S. § 2070.12