Published: October 07, 2006 10:11 pm         

School board member to propose policy on background checks

Prospective Vigo County School Corp. employees would undergo national criminal history background checks if one school board member has his way.

On Monday, board member Michael Tom will propose a school board policy change that will call for such a national background check.

Currently, job applicants must undergo a limited Indiana criminal history check. The school district pays a subscription fee and the search is done through the Indiana State Police database. There is no cost to the applicant.

One limitation of the system is that it is largely limited to Indiana offenses, according to a report previously presented by Ray Azar, director of student services. “Someone who commits a crime in another state may not show up as a violator using the present system.”

Tom is concerned about out-of-state applicants who might have a criminal record that doesn’t show up in the limited background check.

On Monday, he’ll propose a change “to where a national background check is used,” he said. In particular, he wants to use a database that checks for any sex-crime convictions.

He’ll propose the policy change, but the board would not be asked to approve it until a later meeting.

Meanwhile, school officials are further investigating the possibility and costs of using services that could conduct searches of national databases.

The board meets at 7 p.m. in the administration building, 686 Wabash Ave.