Criminal Background Checks for Ohio Schools' Bus Drivers in Question
Last month, Columbus, Ohio, police arrested an individual who drives bus for one of the Ohio schools in Columbus. The driver was charged with possession of cocaine and further investigation found the individual had three previous convictions for driving under the influence.
First Student, Inc., is the private company, who employs the driver and provides bus drivers for many of the Ohio schools. They employ 22,000 drivers to over 500 school districts in 38 states across the country, transporting nearly two million children each school day. Of the 20,000 bus drivers within the Ohio schools, 3,000-to-5,000 work for private contractors. State law requires that bus drivers for the Ohio schools have a commercial driver's license and a criminal background check through Ohio's Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
After the driver's arrest, First Student discovered it had not done complete criminal background checks on all of its drivers. Service to the Columbus Ohio schools was suspended and the district cancelled classes for the day to allow the company to review their background check records for other such omissions.
Spokeswoman Jennifer Robinson assured the public that First Student has submitted hundreds of the required background checks and fingerprints to the Bureau since 2004, though Alex Goepfert, spokesman for the state's attorney general's office, stated that the firm had not submitted anything since that year. Additionally, she stated that First Student runs all background checks through a private company and believes the arrested driver is an isolated case of omission.
Ed Simpson, chief of policy and administration for the state attorney general's office, is searching for a better way to improve enforcement of the background check for Ohio schools' bus drivers law and to ensure such oversight does not occur again.
State attorney general Marc Dann met with Columbus area legislators to discuss ways that the statute can be strengthened. Failure to conduct these criminal background checks is a misdemeanor under the law. According to Simpson, Dann also is investigating if a criminal case or administrative action can be brought against First Student.
First Student's oversight has other school districts within the Ohio schools asking about their drivers. Robinson stated that First Student is conducting a comprehensive review of all Ohio schools' bus drivers.
Ohio schools' Columbus district is evaluating its procedures and whether to cancel their contract with First Student. Ohio schools' Cincinnati district has asked First Student and their two other private bus driver providers to resubmit their criminal background screenings for further review; they review background checks through the state every two years and locally through a private company every six months. Ohio schools' Dayton district hires their own drivers and review background checks monthly. According to spokesmen, Ohio schools' Lorain and Elyria districts were assured by First Student that appropriate checks had been completed on all of their drivers.
Related Tags: ohio, schools, ohio schools
Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Patricia has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues. For more information on Ohio schools visit www.schoolsk-12.com/ohio/index.html
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Creating Character Education In Schools
Character education in schools is where most children will probably develop their character. To para - Teaching Character Education In The Classroom
If character development does not take place at home it must be acquired somewhere else. There are a - Where Can A Child Attain Character Development?
The Boy Scout Oath is: On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey - So You Want To Tutor Esl Students Online?
Be careful, it may not be as easy as you think.Tutoring english online. This seems to be the growing - A-levels British School
One of the qualifications offered by British educational institutions, Cayman Islands, Cameroon, Wal - Research Paper Writing Tips
It is true that sample research paper writing will assist you to know the requirement for research p - Availing Sample Dissertations
It is true that dissertation is a mandatory and essential process that student have to undergo. The - Developing Term Paper Cover Page
It is true that PHD students will have to write a term paper. Selecting the right topic is one of th - How To Study Effectively From Free Ncert Solutions?
The one thing that can help students score great marks in the final CBSE examinations is quality NCE - How To Study As Per Cbse Syllabus?
CBSE syllabus is usually the first thing that a student goes through when he/she steps into a new ac
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Eating Disorders in Teens
According to a survey eating disorders most often affect young women. Less than 10% of people with - Does My Child Have Dyslexia?
Does it really matter what they call it? What matters most is WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO HELP YOUR - Finding a Teaching Job Abroad Using the Internet as an Information Medium
The internet has one purpose, to share information with people, and it's a very powerful tool. I'm g - Standardized Final Exams for Arizona Schools - Better for the Students or Just Another Measurement for the State?
There is currently a bill in the Arizona state legislature, proposing that the state create standard - Area Businesses and Organizations Host 1,552 Philadelphia Schools' Students for Shadowing Day
I have worked at one business or another, since I turned 16. I worked for both private and nonprofit - Middle School May be Passé Within the Boston Schools
The middle school model was conceived in the 70s and implemented throughout the 70s and 80s across t - Bingo Card Creator!
When most people think of bingo, they think about the game as played by seniors in retirement castle - New Changes Planned for the New York Schools by the State's New Governor
Many states are experiencing the shock of new governors who are breaking the mold of former elected - Teaching Jobs Abroad and Coping With Culture Shock
Culture shock is the term used to describe how people feel when they are exposed to an unfamiliar cu - Polyester Is The Leader
Polyester is a synthetic fibre derived from coal, air, water, and petroleum. Polyester fibres are fo