Paul, with regard to the Des Moines hiring of a Superintendent of Schools; in 1986, the Legislature of Virginia passed a law mandating that all school employees would be Background checked because they would be in proximity to our children. In Falls Church, Va., the business manager for the School Board had his notion approved and the School Board let all of their School Bus employees go and they signed a contract with a School Bus company. Whether wittingly or not, the new School Bus drivers were not Background checked but were in proximity to our children.
Someone in Iowa should be reporting on whether Iowa ever passed a law requiring a Criminal Background check for all school employees. If so,the Iowa AG should get involved and maybe the Feds.
Thank you. The article is clear that a School Board changed its policy, but that could hardly supersede a State law - if one was previously passed, like my example in Virginia.
This is from AI
Yes, Iowa requires background checks for many school employees, including all licensed teachers, administrators, certified staff, and bus drivers, as mandated by the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE). These checks typically include state and national criminal history, sex offender registry, and child and dependent adult abuse registry information.
Who must get a background check?
Licensed Teachers and Administrators:
All licensed staff, including teachers, nurses, librarians, and speech therapists, are required to have a background check.
Certified Staff:
Certified personnel seeking a new license or renewing an existing one must also undergo a background check.
School Bus Drivers:
A background check is required before hiring, with a recheck every five years.
Other Volunteers:
Other school volunteers may also be subject to background checks.
What do the background checks include?
Criminal History: Review of both state and national criminal records.
Abuse Registry Information: A review of child abuse and dependent adult abuse registry information.
Sex Offender Registry: Information from the sex offender registry is also checked.
Having worked and educated in the SUNY system for a total of 13 years, I had to labor under some of the worst so called leaders that were the out put of Official SUNY so called “search committees “. I doubt these selected candidates ever went through a rigorous criminal history investigation.
Sounds like the Des Moines school board officials are in denial.
Paul, with regard to the Des Moines hiring of a Superintendent of Schools; in 1986, the Legislature of Virginia passed a law mandating that all school employees would be Background checked because they would be in proximity to our children. In Falls Church, Va., the business manager for the School Board had his notion approved and the School Board let all of their School Bus employees go and they signed a contract with a School Bus company. Whether wittingly or not, the new School Bus drivers were not Background checked but were in proximity to our children.
Someone in Iowa should be reporting on whether Iowa ever passed a law requiring a Criminal Background check for all school employees. If so,the Iowa AG should get involved and maybe the Feds.
Seems they had such a law -- but changed it. Guess whose idea it was?
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/education/2023/10/05/new-des-moines-public-schools-policy-changes-aim-to-remove-employment-barriers-diversify-staff/71038946007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z119065e007100v119065b00xxxxd11xx65&gca-ft=148&gca-ds=sophi&sltsgmt=0154_B
Thank you. The article is clear that a School Board changed its policy, but that could hardly supersede a State law - if one was previously passed, like my example in Virginia.
This is from AI
Yes, Iowa requires background checks for many school employees, including all licensed teachers, administrators, certified staff, and bus drivers, as mandated by the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE). These checks typically include state and national criminal history, sex offender registry, and child and dependent adult abuse registry information.
Who must get a background check?
Licensed Teachers and Administrators:
All licensed staff, including teachers, nurses, librarians, and speech therapists, are required to have a background check.
Certified Staff:
Certified personnel seeking a new license or renewing an existing one must also undergo a background check.
School Bus Drivers:
A background check is required before hiring, with a recheck every five years.
Other Volunteers:
Other school volunteers may also be subject to background checks.
What do the background checks include?
Criminal History: Review of both state and national criminal records.
Abuse Registry Information: A review of child abuse and dependent adult abuse registry information.
Sex Offender Registry: Information from the sex offender registry is also checked.
Having worked and educated in the SUNY system for a total of 13 years, I had to labor under some of the worst so called leaders that were the out put of Official SUNY so called “search committees “. I doubt these selected candidates ever went through a rigorous criminal history investigation.
Sounds like the Des Moines school board officials are in denial.