Schools skip background checks to vet casual hires

Many employees working among children lack proper clearance, a state DOE audit finds

By Mary Vorsino

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 26, 2012

~~<p>A new Department of Education audit of the casual hire system that employed some 22,000 people at schools statewide last fiscal year found poor oversight and a lack of monitoring, and concluded schools were failing to follow even basic pre-employment protocols, including ensuring that background checks were conducted before an employee began work.</p>
<p>The report called the inadequacies in the system "unacceptable," saying they could lead to a host of problems, from fraud (through fictitious reporting) to safety concerns if someone with a criminal history is working with children to potential violations of federal employment laws.</p>
~~

A new Department of Education audit of the casual hire system that employed some 22,000 people at schools statewide last fiscal year found poor oversight and a lack of monitoring, and concluded schools were failing to follow even basic pre-employment protocols, including ensuring that background checks were conducted before an employee began work.

The report called the inadequacies in the system "unacceptable," saying they could lead to a host of problems, from fraud (through fictitious reporting) to safety concerns if someone with a criminal history is working with children to potential violations of federal employment laws. Login for more...