Background Checks
New Employees
Prior to making any offer of employment to a new applicant for a professional staff position, whether it be for full-time or part-time employment, the following procedure is to be used The prospective employee may submit or ask the District to obtain from the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCII) the results of a criminal history record check conducted by BCII provided the application is within twelve months of the date the check was done. The prospective employee is to submit a set of fingerprints on an authorized format prescribed by the BCII which will also be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for criminal history information. Each request must be accompanied by a check, payable to the Bureau of Criminal Identification in the amount stipulated by the BCII. Costs related to obtaining the criminal history record check are to be borne by the applicant. When the certified report is presented by the candidate, a photocopy is to be made for possible insertion in the person's confidential personnel file, should s/he be employed, and the original returned to the applicant. All information received from the records check shall be kept confidential by the person receiving the report and is to be shared only with the Superintendent. If the prospective employee is subsequently employed, the record check shall be kept in his/her confidential file. If not employed, it shall be returned to the prospective employee. When a background check is required a candidate will be contacted by the personnel department to schedule fingerprinting.
Current Employees
Prior to January 1, 2010 any current licensed professional staff member, as defined in Policy 8141, shall be required to undergo a criminal record check as described above, upon renewal of any license, certificate or permit. After January 1, 2010, a current licensed professional staff member will not be required to undergo a subsequent criminal history records check conducted by CII if the employee: 1) has previously had a BCII criminal records check (for employment or licensure purposes); and 2) provides proof of continuous Ohio residency for the preceding five (5) years. Under such circumstances, the current licensed professional staff member will only be required to undergo a criminal history records check through the FBI. in the case of a professional staff member holding a permanent teaching certificate, such criminal background check shall occur no less than five (5) years on or before September 5th of the fifth year.
Note: The State Department of Education may waive the requirements of a criminal background check for those professional staff members seeking the issuance or renewal of a license, certificate or permit, who have undertaken such process within the immediately preceding year.