As a former PA Child Care Licensing Representative for 18 years, I easily checked over 10,000 employee/volunteer clearances and it was not always easy. Some clearances were forgeries, and the process can be a little bit convoluted, but overall, the childcares did a good job with very little resources.
Unfortunately, I can't say the same for our PA public school districts. Just in the past few months, there have been local newspaper articles reporting 100's of alleged sex crimes in the following school districts, Canon McMillan, West Jefferson Hills, and Keystone Oaks (twice). Many more sex offenders in other school districts may have gone noticed. Who knows?
In my opinion, the school districts need to exceed the minimum requirements for obtaining all of the clearances. Just follow the K.I.S.S. rule and Keep It Simple Stupid. The schools should pay for all three of the clearances for everyone having direct contact with children in the PA Public Schools. The costs are only $60.00 per person and the savings will be far greater for the safety's sake of all children, families, and communities. The clearances will stay in the possession of the schools.
The PA public schools have been receiving large taxpayer funded safety grants, large donations from companies, and larger taxpayer monies these past few years. It is long overdue, to spend some of these monies more wisely on children's safety.
Enough said, but not enough done. You are what you do, and not just what you say.
Thank you,
Dennis Smiddle - Founder and Executive Director of FANS 4 HELP (nonprofit).
Unfortunately, I can't say the same for our PA public school districts. Just in the past few months, there have been local newspaper articles reporting 100's of alleged sex crimes in the following school districts, Canon McMillan, West Jefferson Hills, and Keystone Oaks (twice). Many more sex offenders in other school districts may have gone noticed. Who knows?
In my opinion, the school districts need to exceed the minimum requirements for obtaining all of the clearances. Just follow the K.I.S.S. rule and Keep It Simple Stupid. The schools should pay for all three of the clearances for everyone having direct contact with children in the PA Public Schools. The costs are only $60.00 per person and the savings will be far greater for the safety's sake of all children, families, and communities. The clearances will stay in the possession of the schools.
The PA public schools have been receiving large taxpayer funded safety grants, large donations from companies, and larger taxpayer monies these past few years. It is long overdue, to spend some of these monies more wisely on children's safety.
Enough said, but not enough done. You are what you do, and not just what you say.
Thank you,
Dennis Smiddle - Founder and Executive Director of FANS 4 HELP (nonprofit).
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