Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is implementing a new criminal background check monitoring system, the first school district in Virginia to do so.
, which launched on July 1, is a service that continuously monitors criminal records for all employees, Level 3 volunteers and contractors, giving FCPS real-time alerts for arrests, convictions and other criminal offenses for reports in Virginia and to the FBI by other states. Before this program, background checks only gave a “snapshot in time,” FCPS said.
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“Maintaining a safe learning environment for our students and staff remains our highest priority,” says Superintendent Michelle Reid. “By leading the way in adopting this enhanced background check system, we are converting a reactive safety measure into a proactive safeguard for our entire school community.”
What else to know about the system:
Virginia State Police receives any new criminal reports added to employee record and immediately notifies FCPS
All employees, independent contractors and Level 3 volunteers will be enrolled into the system in the next few months
Self-reporting arrest requirement remains in effect for employees even with new system
The school district is piloting the service before it rolls out statewide.