A group of parents in Golden, Colorado, called JeffCo Kids First, presented evidence of a “troubling pattern” within the Jeffco Public Schools district at a recent Board of Education meeting. The group claimed to have documented 26 recent incidents of sexual abuse, misconduct, grooming, and hiring and firing issues within the district. They questioned why past egregious behavior is being overlooked and why unethical behavior or professional incompetence is left unreported.
In response, the school district stated that all employees undergo rigorous background checks by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with reference checks. They assured that the school board is always informed of any serious misconduct issues. If unlawful behavior is detected, the district reports the individual to the Colorado Department of Education, regardless of whether they resign in lieu of termination or go through the dismissal process.
Despite the district’s policies, Lindsay Datko of JeffCo Kids First believes that there is not enough scrutiny applied to staff members within Jeffco Public Schools. She called for greater accountability and prioritization of child safety within the district. The district follows state law that requires employees to be terminated or disqualified from employment if their background check shows specific offenses related to child abuse, violence, sexual misconduct, and other crimes.
For more information about the school district’s policies on staff hiring and recruiting, interested individuals can visit their website. The issue raised by JeffCo Kids First is ongoing and highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of students within the district.
