New Mexico school district finds 2,270 employees have had no background screening

screening for criminal records that would have ensured the safety of the students. New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas estimates that number represents 15 percent of the employees in the district, and is concerned that APS may be suppressing the number of employees that were grandfathered in under the law. “Although you have articulated that these employees were hired when there was no background requirement in place, it is gravely concerning to me that any individual with whom students have contact has not been appropriately vetted,” wrote Balderas in a letter to the district. “Further, I am concerned that the number of individuals without a background check on file initially reported to my staff was much higher than the actual number you are now reporting as accurate,” Balderas wrote. Acting superintendent Raquel Reedy released a statement, where she said APS would be working with the Attorney General and the New Mexico Public Education Department to ensure that the district’s policies and procedures protect students. The district has a deadline to get all the background checks done on all employees by May 2016.]]>