Screening for School Contractors: Investing in Student Safety

Teaching the leaders of tomorrow requires qualified adults to create a positive and safe learning environment for students to learn and grow. Contractors are no exception. With so many different services in education that require a revolving set of contractors, from IT to transportation, it can be a challenge to confirm they don't introduce risk to the students. That’s why many school districts seek out alternative solutions, like Certified Contractors, to help keep campus projects moving, student services in place, and opportunities for innovative technology open--all without sacrificing a school’s safety or security.

Contractors Can Introduce Risk If Not Properly Vetted

The education sector provides a unique challenge in knowing who to screen under which permissible purpose. Many positions can be hired as full-time employees, like teachers, administrative staff, and paraprofessionals. These internal district hires usually have specific hiring requirements, including background checks. However, districts might consider background check confirmation unnecessary for third-party providers and trust their external partners to fulfill.

Problems can arise when too much trust is placed in the hands of others. If contractors are not screening their employees appropriately, they could send someone to perform work at a school that should not have access to children without recognizing the risk. What could happen without the proper vetting of individuals who have access to children can be devastating. Like a transportation company that hired a paraprofessional with a history of child abuse. The employee was later convicted of assaulting children on the job.

Confirm Contractors are Checked by Their Employer 

Schools often don’t have access to the records of their contractors’ employees due to privacy regulations and other factors. That means schools may have a difficult time verifying contractors with access to their students are safe according to their standards. But schools can take steps to ensure they work with contractors who do not have a dangerous history. Solutions like Certified Contractors allow schools to set standards for the contractors with whom they work. Participating contractors provide proof that employees given access to school facilities have met the school’s background check requirements.

Common positions filled by contractor employees include:

• Transportation services, where drivers need valid licenses for rider safety 

• Maintenance and facilities, because repairs, cleaning, and other building needs are often completed during the school day 

• IT and technology partners, since these partners may have access to sensitive student information 

• Food service vendors and team members, who need to handle student dietary needs safely 

With so many roles in direct contact with students, it’s important to maintain safety standards. Introducing a solution that helps schools confirm their contractors are safe to work around children can help reduce risk and foster more trust in their community.

To set your school up as a participating site or enroll your business for certification, Contact Certified Contractors today >