Colorado Teachers Union Fights Arrest Disclosure Rules

Colorado's largest teacher's union is asking a judge to toss new regulations that require teacher arrests to be publicly disclosed.

From the Coloradoan:

In a lawsuit filed in Denver District Court, the Colorado Education Association calls the new rules "arbitrary and/or capricious," "vague" and an "abuse of or a clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion."

The current rules were unanimously passed by the state Board of Education in April. The regulations do not state how to report arrests, nor is there an enforcement policy, so districts are on the honor system. Districts also don't have to report the specific charge for the arrest, according to Education News Colorado.

The rule applies only to arrests and charges for felony or misdemeanor charges of sexual assault against those who are in direct contact with students. Parents of children must receive the notifications.

The Union argues that the regulations were pushed through board approval "based on isolated incidences where his local school district failed to notify parents of criminal allegations against two school teachers," the Coloradoan reports.

The rules also require that districts report drug arrests and charges, excluding those for possession of marijuana. Charter schools are expected to comply, but private schools, kindergartens and day-cares are not.

Comments

[ezla]

05:59 PM on 07/11/2011

I am completely for this and am actually surprised to see a Union wanting it, as they're usually the ones who like to hush things up. When a teacher is fired (which is hardly ever, due to how expensive it is to fire one), the teacher's record is not disclosed, meaning the teacher can just move to a different district and get a new job, even if he was fired for horrible reasons.

[Parade Keegan]

01:27 PM on 07/11/2011

The Unions are Corporations and when we accept this truth we'll understand they're not "for the good of the public" and are only beneficial for their shareholders (members).

[DanInAustin]

05:06 PM on 07/11/2011

I fail to see how protecting teachers from having their reputations and careers ruined over potentially-false allegations doesn't serve the public good.

[Parade Keegan]

05:47 PM on 07/11/2011

Really? In my state a parent cannot work as a classroom volunteer if there is an arrest in their background (they do background checks on volunteers), why IYO do you think teachers deserve more protection? There's many instances where people are arrested but for one reason or another are not convicted of the crime they were arrested for. Teachers have great influence on students (they're with their students daily and in some cases with their students more than a parent). I'm sure the union wouldn't allow an arrested (not convicted) teacher to be fired (firing a teacher is already almost impossible) but as parents we have a duty and obligation to know the character of the persons who we entrust our children to. An example; one arrest (not conviction) for petty theft/drunk driving/larceny isn't a problem but when there are two or three this is an indication of an issue. A teacher is a public (public is the operative word) employee and many companies demand that all arrests (not convictions) be reported. Are teachers of any less value as our employee? I'm not sympathetic.

[Ariel Bonzai]

03:41 AM on 07/15/2011

The truth is many unions are bad for members. They protect so many awful teachers, take our money and act in ways that members are blamed for. They are no longer protect LA teachers because they must ultimately concede to the district. Our contract, which is nor nearly as great as u all been lead to believe clearly favors administrators who can do no wrong. Over the last couple years we have seen abusive autocrats break contracts, EEO and other state and federal laws with no consequences. Our has deliberately mislead and used out dues, which we've paid for nothing. I am grateful they supported the candidate we have in office but believe he would have been elected even if UTLA acted legally. The unions need to start focusing on students and holding administrators and officials accountable for their regular incompetence and corruption.I plan to pay my dues into a law firm rather than settle for these white chalk criminals. In CA you have a choice and I choose not to support the union because it fails to support me or the students. Www.Perdaily.com

[colred]

06:19 PM on 07/10/2011

Isn't asking about arrests rather than convictions against the Fair Employment Act?

[broui]

08:42 AM on 07/09/2011

As it is, before we can even apply for work in a school district, we teachers must undergo an FBI fingerprint screening to evaluate whether or not we have a record of any kind. Our lives are heavily scrutinized well in advance.

To then publicize the mere accusation of wrongdoing - fuggetaboutit.

[poeticjustice4all]

01:35 PM on 07/09/2011

There's always sales.

You could go sell used cars. Or shoes! That way, you're not on the public dole and not subject to the intrusive horror of admitting to the truth.

[broui]

09:46 PM on 07/09/2011

Your reading skills need work so I'll be clearer for you.

The reason teachers unions object to this is that if a teacher is accused of something and it turns out to be false, people should NOT have access to that information otherwise, that teacher is ruined anyway.

It protects good teachers from lies.

We already have a system that works quite well for those that actually do something wrong.

[daughterusmc]

07:39 AM on 07/11/2011

the truth that you have been accused of a crime that could easily be a false accusation and ruin your career and reputation...that truth?

[mlaiuppa]

03:39 AM on 07/09/2011

Arrests are not convictions. A teacher can be falsely accused and exonerated, but have their reputation permanently damaged by the false arrest. And yes, I know a teacher who was innocently accused. The student's best friend eventually confessed it was all a lie because the girl didn't get the lead role in the school musical she thought she deserved. This teacher was about to go to trial when the girl finally confessed.

Kids lie? You bet. All the time.

[EAinCO]

04:17 PM on 07/08/2011

"The rule applies only to arrests and charges"
"local school district failed to notify parents of criminal allegations"

Charges and allegations are the key words here. Our system is suppose to be one where you are innocent until proven guilty. By notifying parents of allegations or charges, it puts the person under scrutiny for something that hasn't been proven to be true.

This regulation also does not require schools to update parents when an employee has been proven innocent. There's no justice in that.