More than 250 employees of the Chicago Public School (CPS) district will require additional screening after background checks conducted on them this summer flagged them. That means they won’t be going back to work on the first day of school.
Nearly 60 of the 266 employees who were flagged were teachers, reports the Chicago Tribune. Another 245 refused to submit their fingerprints, so they were also barred.
CPS CEO Janice Jackson says only the employees who had arrest records or a history of violence, sexual misconduct or dangerous criminal activity have banned. The district will conduct investigations to understand the circumstances of each employee.
CPS was prompted to redo its background checks in June after the Tribune found some district employees who abused students had arrest records.
The background checks covered not only teachers, but also vendors, custodians, engineers and school bus drivers. The district is still collecting school volunteer fingerprints. Those employees and individuals who don’t submit their fingerprints could lose their jobs.
In addition to criminal activity, background checks can also uncover lies on resumes or applications and if an employee is in the United States illegally. However, there isn’t an indication that CPS banned employees for those infractions.
Some best practices for conduct better background checks include:
- Establishing a standard background screening policy
- Requiring all applicants provide complete, accurate and consistent data
- Conducting comprehensive criminal checks
- Verifying education, credentials and employment
- Ordering motor vehicle reports for all candidates
- Conducting international background checks
- Screening vendors, contractors, volunteers and temporary employees
- Reassess your background check systems and policies regularly
