In an attempt to help protect our school children from abuse and exploitation, Vermont law (16 V.S.A. sections 251-260) requires/authorizes criminal background investigations (including a fingerprint supported FBI check and a check with the Vermont Criminal Information Center) and registry checks with the Agency of Human Services (AHS), the Adult Protective Services, and the Child Abuse registry Unit, on the following individuals:

1. All school employees (including substitutes, temporary and as-needed employees) being recommended for employment
2. Student teachers
3. Contractors and employees of contractors who have unsupervised contact with school children
4. School volunteers (as required by the school district)

Said individuals will be required to provide fingerprints, releases and other information necessary to conduct background investigations.

The process outlined below should be completed prior to the commencement of services with our district. All offers of employment (or service agreements) shall be conditioned upon an acceptable background check. Although employment/service with the district may commence prior to the completion of the background check process or receipt of the results, continued employment/services with the district shall be contingent upon a satisfactory background check. Below is the process that must be completed:

1. Complete the required background check paperwork with EWSD Human Resources. Please be prepared to provide acceptable identification (e.g. PHOTO Driver's license, Passport, etc.) to enable us to verify your identity and signature.
2. After you complete the required paperwork with EWSD Human Resources, make an appointment to have your fingerprints taken at a designated Identification Center. There is a $35.00 charge for the fingerprints. If you choose to have your fingerprinting completed at the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Office, EWSD is billed directly for the cost and you will not be responsible for payment of the $35 charge.
   • You must bring two forms of identification with you in order to be fingerprinted. You will also need to bring your completed Fingerprint Authorization Certificate, which will be provided to you by Human Resources. Fingerprints will not be taken without this certificate.
   • For a list of Identification Centers, acceptable forms of identification and other information about the fingerprinting process (e.g. expectations at the Identification Centers, acceptable forms of ID, acceptable prints, etc.), please visit the Vermont Criminal Information Center (VCIC) website at: https://vcic.vermont.gov/ch-information/record-checks/fingerprint-id-centers.
   • The Chittenden County Sheriff's Office located at 70 Ethan Allen Drive in South Burlington will typically schedule fingerprinting on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays by appointment only. Call 802-863-4341 to schedule an appointment.
3. While at the identification Center, the fingerprinting officer will give you a Fingerprint Receipt. Please email a copy of your receipt to Racheal Emery in Human Resources at remery@ewsd.org or mail to the following address: Essex Westford School District at 51 Park Street, Essex Jct., VT 05452

If you completed a fingerprint supported FBI Criminal Records Check process with another Vermont School District within the past year, you may not have to repeat the fingerprint supported criminal record check process above if:

• the record still exists;
• you agree to sign a release, and;
• the original holder agrees to release a copy of the record to us.

The above rule only applies to the fingerprint supported FBI criminal records check. The VCIC check and all registry checks shall be redone prior to service within our district.

In the event a notice of a criminal record is received, the individual shall be provided a copy of the record along with a notice of their appeal rights with VCIC: Within 30 days of receiving the results of the record check, the individual shall have the right to appeal the findings to the Vermont Criminal Information Center, Department of Public Safety, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, Vermont, 05671-2101.

View the EWSD policy on Maintenance & Destruction of Background Check Information.

The district will consider information obtained through the criminal record checks and registry checks when weighing the veracity, character and general suitability of individuals to provide services within the EWSD.  

The following background results will generally disqualify individuals from employment consideration within our district. This is not an exhaustive list of disqualifying conditions. Other records not mentioned below shall be considered on a case by case basis.

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall have the sole discretion of determining whether or not the background check result is acceptable.

No individual subject to the checks shall be eligible for  hire (or continued employment if employment commences before the results of the checks are received) or serve as a volunteer if they have been convicted of one or more of the following crimes (taken from 16 V.S.A. § § 252 and 1698). Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis at the approval of the Superintendent:

• Sex offender crimes listed in 13 V.S.A. § 5401(10) (sex offender definition for registration purposes):
• Crimes involving a victim listed in 13 V.S.A. § 5301(7)
• Contributing to juvenile delinquency under 13 V.S.A. § 1301
• Cruelty to children under 13 V.S.A. § 1304
• Cruelty by person having custody under 13 V.S.A. § 1305
• Prohibited acts under 13 V.S.A. § § 2632 and 2635
• Displaying obscene materials to minors under 13 V.S.A. § 2804b
• Sexual exploitation of children under 13 V.S.A. chapter 64
• Drug sales, including selling or dispensing under 18 V.S.A. § § 4231(b), 4232(b), 4233(b), 4234(b), 4234a, 4234b, 4235(c), 4235a(b), and 4237
• Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults, under 33 V.S.A. § 6902(D)
• Sexual activity by a caregiver, under 33 V.S.A. § 6902(D)
• Crimes that are cause for licensing actions listed in 16 V.S.A. § 1698(1)(B)-(D)

This list of generally disqualifying crimes is not meant to be all inclusive. For convictions not listed, eligibility to provide service under the contract shall be considered on a case by case basis. The totality of the crimes shall also be considered when determining an individual’s eligibility to provide service under the contract. The decision of the Superintendent in these matters shall be final.

No individual whose name appears on any registry of listings of substantiated abuse cases shall be eligible to serve (or continue to serve) as a licensed educator, substitute, level III volunteer, paraeducator, or any other position within the EWSD that involves regular direct contact with school children. The Superintendent shall have the final say as to which positions involve regular direct contact with school children.