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Monday, November 8, 1999
CCISD mulls checks on applicants
New unit would weed out potential sex offenders
By Jonathan Osborne
Caller-Times
Those seeking employment with the Corpus Christi Independent School District may have to pass the scrutiny of an investigative unit.
To avoid hiring potential sex offenders, trustees today will consider creating a professional standards unit that will look into each job applicant's history.
Trustee Vicki Rothschild said the unit should help prevent some of the problems the district has had in the past, including employees who allegedly have had sexual relationships with students.
"When you've had the kind of problems that we've had, obviously something is not happening," Rothschild said. "Most of these problems that we've had, if a really good, thorough check had been done, we may have been able to anticipate it."
This year the district has had four cases of employees who allegedly molested or had sexual relationships with students.
Most recently, Carroll assistant football coach Mark Marsh was fired after being accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student. Because the girl was of legal age - Texas law prohibits adults from having sex with children ages 16 and younger - police are not pressing charges.
Rothschild said the unit should help parents feel more comfortable about the people the district hires.
"You want to ensure that the people that are in charge of our kids don't have any prior problems," Rothschild said.
The unit also would be in charge of investigating complaints of any inappropriate conduct against teachers, Rothschild said.
Right now, that's the job of administrators.
"I think it's a liability issue also," Rothschild said. "With the kinds of problems that we've had with kids and adults, we can't afford to make a mistake."
Board President Frank Reyes said he would be open to creating the position, as long as the right person was picked for the job.
"I think it's a position that is needed at this particular time," Reyes said. "At this point, I would need to listen and see what kind of a person we are looking for."
Reyes said the ideal candidate would have both experience in law enforcement and as a private investigator.
"I do agree that we do need to check further than what we have done in the past," Reyes said. "That would eliminate a lot of the problems."
Trustee Pinky Brauer also said she wants to make sure a professional fills the position.
"In view of all the problems we have with the sexual harassment, I think this says we need someone who can go out and find out what's really going on, like a policeman," Brauer said. "He would know a different way to ask a question that would get the right answer."
Staff writer Jonathan Osborne can be reached at 886-3716 or by e-mail at osbornej@caller.com
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