Kalispell schools to expand background checks

Kalispell Public Schools officials are working on a procedural change to require background checks for all new employees and volunteers in Kalispell Public Schools.

Volunteers and all new district staff members — whether they deal directly with students or not — will be required to have background checks.

Currently, teachers, substitutes, custodians, maintenance workers and bus drivers go through federal fingerprint-based background checks as a condition of employment. 

“In today’s society this is a standard operating procedure for all paid employees,” Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau said.

Flatau noted the change will create consistency districtwide, particularly with volunteers.

Flatau said the change is not in response to any incident or investigation. Both new to the district this year, Flatau and Human Resources Director Tracy Scott have been familiarizing themselves with district policies and procedures.

“We want to ensure we’re using best practices,” Scott said.

In August, Scott had attended a Montana Department of Justice workshop in Columbia Falls where background checks and school safety were discussed. 

The district will pay for costs associated with volunteer background checks. 

The extent of a volunteer’s background check will depend on the level of staff supervision and whether he or she is working with students.

“If they’re alone with the kids, they will have a full background check, but if they’re volunteers in a capacity where they’re always supervised we would look at doing a ‘name search,’” Scott said.

Flatau added, “Typically, volunteers should not have direct supervision of students by themselves.”

Costs may range from $11.50 for an online name-based check, which searches criminal records in Montana only, or $23.25 for a federal fingerprint-based check for volunteers, according to the Montana Department of Justice.

Scott said she doesn’t anticipate a significant financial impact.

“We want to make sure we can do all we can to make safe schools,” Scott said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.