Tougher laws for teacher certification

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - In a move to keep criminals out of schools, the Indiana legislature is fighting for tougher background checks for teachers.

State Representative Clyde Kersey introduced legislation, saying more can be done to protect our children.

Right now, the Vigo County School Corporation does a criminal check of a teacher's last seven listed addresses.

Kersey's proposal requires a criminal check of their entire criminal history, closing what he calls a big loophole.

"Once a teacher applies for a job in the state of Indiana, one requirement is that they must have a national criminal history background check through the FBI," Representative Kersey said.

Kersey's bill mandates follow-up checks every five years.

Local administrators say they are on board with legislation that keeps students safer.

But, correct records must be kept for successful checks.

"This all depends upon law enforcement having the ability and the time to put all this data into the database, and that's critical," Vigo County School Corporation representative John Orr said.

Kersey says every school corporation employee, even bus drivers and janitors, will be checked.

"If there's a chance that there might be someone teaching our students who has been convicted of a felony, we want to make sure that doesn't happen," said Kersey. "If you're a convicted felon, you're out."

The cost of the check, between $30 and $60, will be paid by the employee as part of their certification.

Representative Kersey says the legislation should be put into effect by July 1.