Op/Ed: Rare bipartisan cooperation: keeping adults with criminal records out of classrooms
“Laws are like sausages. Neither should be viewed in the making.”
So says the brilliant Otto von Bismarck, chancellor Imperial Germany in the 19th century and one of the most consequential statesmen in all history.
The question is, however, does it always have to be so? Even in these raucous and fractious political times, are there examples of something so important and needed that everyone comes together to change things for the better?
In the 2023 legislative session one such issue united disparate Hoosiers who are concerned about the safety of our children while they are in the classroom.
Senate Bill 342 was passed and is awaiting a signature from Gov. Eric Holcomb. It addresses an issue so maddening that one can scarcely believe it’s real.
Do you know according to current Indiana law someone can work in a K-12 classroom even if they have a criminal conviction and are currently on probation? Or have a criminal conviction and are currently serving time in jail on weekends and during vacations?
Or teachers with failed background checks for criminal convictions by all Indiana law enforcement agencies? Or teachers with documented patterns of criminal drug and alcohol abuse over multiple years including DUIs and possession of illegal substances?
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By the way, this list is not comprehensive and there are other criminal offenses that do not preclude a criminal offender from working in a school.
It’s not just Indiana where students could be at risk. According to this report, 349 K-12 teachers committed sex crimes in 2022 in the United States.
Fortunately, Republican Sen. Aaron Freeman sponsored legislation to close this abominable loophole. In partnership with the brilliant education researcher Dr. Addie Angelov, Sen. Freeman is strengthening the requirements for schools when hiring teachers.
But how was this particular sausage made? It was because determined and conscientious leaders refused accept the status quo.
“Current laws in Indiana are tying schools’ hands when teachers engaged in inappropriate or criminal behaviors,” said Angelov. “Senate Bill 342 addresses dangerous loopholes criminals are using to access Indiana students. Our schools deserve to have as much information as possible to keep classrooms safe.”
Another significant contributor to the lax laws governing school hiring is the shortage of teachers not only in Indiana but across the country.
Additionally, SB 342 honors the work of Indiana's Department of Child Services by requiring teachers who become the subject of a substantiated DCS case for child abuse or child neglect must notify their schools.
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. We must remain vigilant for signs of mistreatment in the home, the classroom and anywhere our children learn, play and live.
It is not often in contemporary politics for partisan bickering and public grandstanding to be eclipsed by the desire to cooperate on critical issues involving education.
Do we arm teachers? Do we ban Tik Tok? Do public charter schools deserve referenda dollars?
The list is endless, but the bi-partisan push for more common ground on education is not hopeless. The work of Freeman, Angelov and their co-sponsors proves our hope for common ground is not in vain and our classrooms will be safer as a result.
Robert Vane is the principal at public relations firm Veteran Strategies Inc. He was deputy chief of staff and communications director in the Mayor Greg Ballard administration and served in the United States Army.