NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2008
Contact: Trevor Foughty, Campaign Manager
(765) 480-2508 (cell)
trevor@drtonybennett.com
Republican candidates promise to back measures for tighter background checks on new teachers
State Superintendent candidate Dr. Tony Bennett, State Senator Teresa Lubbers, and State Representative candidate Chris Swatts pledge support for reforms to strengthen background checks on new teachers and provide a centralized reporting process for dismissed teachers
(INDIANAPOLIS) Republican candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett, along with Republican State Senator Teresa Lubbers and Republican State Representative candidate Chris Swatts, promised on Wednesday to push for education initiatives that would strengthen current laws regarding background checks for teachers during hiring processes.
"Teachers are on the front lines of education every day, and we must make sure we have teachers of the highest integrity and moral quality in front of our children," said Bennett. "Currently, schools are only required to do a limited criminal background check when hiring new teachers, and I think the first thing we need to do is to require national FBI background checks so that school systems can have the confidence they aren't hiring any bad actors."
Bennett also addressed Indiana's lack of a central reporting procedure for schools when they dismiss teachers for misconduct.
"The Department of Education should be set up as a conduit for this information so that we can stop 'passing the trash' from district to district," said Bennett. "It is unacceptable to me that a teacher who acts inappropriately in one district is able to sneak into another district just because we have no uniform method to inform other districts of the reasons for their dismissal."
Lubbers, who also chairs the Senate Education Committee, agreed with Bennett that the measures are needed, and emphasized that school districts will maintain their local control.
"Responsibility for personnel decisions ultimately rests with the local school districts," said Lubbers. "But it's clear to me that the system we have isn't working. We have a real opportunity to repair and strengthen what's currently in place, while at the same time respecting the autonomy of individual districts."
Swatts also agreed that the measures were needed, citing recent stories and editorials in the Indianapolis Star that highlighted cases of teachers dismissed for behavioral issues such as sexual misconduct finding jobs in other school districts.
"As a result of recent articles in the Star, it has become apparent to me that reform is needed," said Swatts. "These are simple, common sense initiatives that will have an extremely positive impact on education in Indiana. If elected, I look forward to the chance to work on this crucial legislation."
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2008
Contact: Trevor Foughty, Campaign Manager
(765) 480-2508 (cell)
trevor@drtonybennett.com
Republican candidates promise to back measures for tighter background checks on new teachers
State Superintendent candidate Dr. Tony Bennett, State Senator Teresa Lubbers, and State Representative candidate Chris Swatts pledge support for reforms to strengthen background checks on new teachers and provide a centralized reporting process for dismissed teachers
(INDIANAPOLIS) Republican candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett, along with Republican State Senator Teresa Lubbers and Republican State Representative candidate Chris Swatts, promised on Wednesday to push for education initiatives that would strengthen current laws regarding background checks for teachers during hiring processes.
"Teachers are on the front lines of education every day, and we must make sure we have teachers of the highest integrity and moral quality in front of our children," said Bennett. "Currently, schools are only required to do a limited criminal background check when hiring new teachers, and I think the first thing we need to do is to require national FBI background checks so that school systems can have the confidence they aren't hiring any bad actors."
Bennett also addressed Indiana's lack of a central reporting procedure for schools when they dismiss teachers for misconduct.
"The Department of Education should be set up as a conduit for this information so that we can stop 'passing the trash' from district to district," said Bennett. "It is unacceptable to me that a teacher who acts inappropriately in one district is able to sneak into another district just because we have no uniform method to inform other districts of the reasons for their dismissal."
Lubbers, who also chairs the Senate Education Committee, agreed with Bennett that the measures are needed, and emphasized that school districts will maintain their local control.
"Responsibility for personnel decisions ultimately rests with the local school districts," said Lubbers. "But it's clear to me that the system we have isn't working. We have a real opportunity to repair and strengthen what's currently in place, while at the same time respecting the autonomy of individual districts."
Swatts also agreed that the measures were needed, citing recent stories and editorials in the Indianapolis Star that highlighted cases of teachers dismissed for behavioral issues such as sexual misconduct finding jobs in other school districts.
"As a result of recent articles in the Star, it has become apparent to me that reform is needed," said Swatts. "These are simple, common sense initiatives that will have an extremely positive impact on education in Indiana. If elected, I look forward to the chance to work on this crucial legislation."
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