Friday, April 5, found many people heading to the Lanesboro School for a special school board meeting to review School Board Policy 404 which deals with employment background checks. Chairwoman Christine Troendle noted that the special meeting was being held because of “recent concerns and discussions from the public.” Superintendent Matt Schultz had researched the topic extensively over the past three weeks.
The board routinely reviews the school policies with a first and second reading of each policy at two board meetings before approving the policy. Policy 404 was due to be reviewed soon; it was merely moved up due to public concerns.
With a standing room only crowd in the forum room, Chairwoman Christine Troendle explained that the meeting would be run the same as regular board meetings. Following the call to order and the pledge, Troendle explained the rules for the public input period of the meeting – each person wishing to speak needed to sign up and was given five minutes to address the board. The board would not engage in a discussion or debate but would take the information and find answers as appropriate.
With the large assembly, the expectation was that many people would be addressing the board. Several times Troendle encouraged anyone wishing to address the board to sign up. When the time came for public input, only two people had signed up.
Tamara DeGarmo asked that the board make sure the policy includes current staff – faculty, both paid and volunteer coaches and other employees as well as volunteers both paid and unpaid – in required background checks. She asked that the school consult with other schools such as Chatfield, Rushford, Winona and Rochester regarding their processes when “probable cause brings to light a concern.”
Beth Storhoff declined her opportunity to speak. Before closing the public input period, Troendle reiterated the upcoming opportunities to communicate with the board. A regular board meeting with a public input period was scheduled to occur April 10 at 7 p.m. in the forum room. People were encouraged to speak with board members and Superintendent Schultz after the meeting as well.
The board then moved on to the only item on the agenda: Policy 404-Employment Background Checks. Schultz told the board that MSBA makes necessary adjustments to their boilerplate policies to fit recent legislation. The only change that had been made was in how the policy designates Minnesota Statutes.
Schultz read the three-page document in its entirety and informed the group that it was also available on the school’s website under documents.
All adults who work at the school or volunteer for programs operated by the school are under this policy. Licensed new teachers undergo background checks by PELSB (Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board). Schultz checked with PELSB and learned that they do not do another background check on teachers, but when teachers renew their licenses, they are asked to check a box saying that they have had no offenses in the intervening years.
Everyone offered a position at Lanesboro Schools or who is a volunteer at the school is put through a background check. The school uses a company called Verified Credentials to perform a county criminal background check, which costs the employee $17.50.
Troendle asked if other schools seem to just follow the MSBA recommendations. Schultz replied that most schools just use the MSBA boilerplate policy. According the Schultz, PEM (Plainview-Elgin-Millville) has a procedure with guidelines for offenses found in the pre-employment background check. No other schools have a post-employment background check.
School lawyer Abby Kelzer from the firm Squires, Waldspurger and Mace, concurred with Schultz that no other Minnesota schools perform post-employment background checks.
Schultz commented that the board could choose to add a procedure for post-employment background checks if they so desired.
Sarah Peterson suggested that it might be wise to include a checkbox concerning any offenses for all employees’ contracts just as the teachers have. Bus drivers are subject to two policies, 404 and 709–student transportation. The commercial driver’s license has a list of requirements to notify the district of any convictions.
Kelzer opined that any post employment background checks would be at the board’s discretion. Kelzer stated that the Lanesboro policy was consistent with state law. If the school were to add post employment checks, there would be no legal repercussions; no laws would technically come into play according to Kelzer. Schultz would call the school lawyer if there were issues. Schultz added that PELSB has no plans for adding post employment checks in the future.
When asked if Lanesboro had ever had a background check come back unfavorable, Schultz said there had been one; the person was not hired as a result.
Schultz summarized the possible next steps; the board could add to the policy a post employment background check, or it could be a procedure or even a board directive.
The board concluded its first reading of Policy 404; a second reading will be done on April 10. At that time, the board could either approve the policy, table the policy, or conduct a third reading at a later date.
Troendle encouraged the public to contact the board members or Schultz with questions or to bring those questions to the April 10 meeting when public input is again offered.
Following the meeting, a member of the audience urged a board member, “We need to set the standards – we are a destination community.”