CLEARFIELD – In order to both educate and protect students, Lois Richards, Clearfield County Career and Technology Center executive director, asked the Joint Operating Committee to consider that adult daytime students undergo a Federal Bureau of Investigation clearance. She proposed the clearance become a requirement at the start of the next school year.
“We currently require both the state police and child abuse clearances for employees and daytime adult students,” she said.
Richards noted employees are already required to submit to all three clearances.
“I studied others (centers) through the Pennsylvania Career and Technical Administration (PACTA). The majority do the state police and child abuse clearances, as we do,” she said. “A good number have started the FBI clearance.”
Richards said she believes it would be a good idea for the CCCTC to follow suit.
Joseph Dugan, Moshannon Valley School District representative, asked if it would be required of all the daytime adult programs.
Richards said the clearances would be required for any adult student who is attending classes through the day.
Dugan, then, asked if the FBI clearance would need to be approved and incorporated into their policy.
Richards said it wouldn’t be added to their policy but to the handbook. “It will be approved as part of the handbook.”
She emphasized the importance of the students’ protection.
“It’s our goal to educate, but we need to educate in a safe environment,” Richards said.