CCSD requires nonlicensed staff to report criminal arrests, charges

In the past, bus drivers, school janitors, teacher aides, cafeteria workers and substitutes could have been convicted of a felony without being required to inform the Clark County School District.

That changed Thursday when the School Board unanimously voted without discussion that, from now on, all nonlicensed staff must report criminal arrests, charges and convictions related to drugs, violence and sexual conduct. Any arrest involving a victim ages 18 or younger also must be reported.

Up until now, these requirements applied only to licensed workers, which constitute about half of the district's 37,000 workers and are mainly teachers, administrators and school nurses.

The rule now applies to all employees, which is just common sense, said Staci Vesneske, the district's human resources director, who was hired in August. The district is Nevada's largest employer.

Failure to notify the district within 48 hours would result in discipline or termination, depending on the nature of the incident being reported.

Vesneske said the policy isn't retroactive, meaning a nonlicensed worker who was convicted of a crime last school year won't have to report it.

Contact reporter Trevon Milliard at tmilliard@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.