School for deaf and blind allowed felons to work on campus – by AP Associated News
Saw this off Yahoo News from DeafPulse.com.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (AP) — The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind allowed felons to work on campus construction jobs during the past two years, according to interviews and documents.
Many of the workers were allowed on campus even though they had failed background checks, school employees complained.
The felons included a man convicted of domestic battery and selling cocaine; a man convicted of aggravated assault; and a man convicted of offenses including trafficking in hallucinogens, battery on his spouse and domestic violence, The St. Augustine Record reported Sunday.
Current and former staff members started complaining to school and state officials about nine months ago, saying school officials didn’t show concern for student safety, the newspaper said.
School president Elmer Dillingham said he believes the administration made acceptable decisions. He said the felons were supervised by a full-time off-duty police officer and only hired because the school could not find a felon-free construction crew to work on emergency construction projects.
“I don’t think, if you go to any public school in this state, that you’ll find a better security system,” he said.
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Ha, how incredible was that.
8 Comments, Comment or Ping
Mishkazena
I saw that article last night. I am surprised that there is no current law forbidding felons from working on school property during school hours, There is a potential endangerment to the safety of the schoolkids. Since the school is operated by the state, why cannot the school use the state workforce?
Mar 26th, 2007
deafloves
Students may feel uneasy and scared for the felon. We should consider more about the safety of the deaf students.
Mar 26th, 2007
Rox
The South Dakota School for the Deaf has people from the state prison work on their campus. However, they are in bright orange suits and are very supervised. I’ve never felt as if I were in any danger. I think this kind of system can work, provided there is adequate supervision, they are clearly marked in bright suits, and their crimes were not related to children.
Mar 27th, 2007
asdf
Nathan, stop crying.. Since you dont work there.. LOL
Mar 27th, 2007
natech
Asdf, you’re amusing. You’re like a baseball fan that likes to heckle at players.
Mar 27th, 2007
Jessica
Yes, Rox, that is right…usually they are low security inmates that do work around the community. I see some of them working outside in front of the prison grounds and at another building that I had some training courses at. They would come and do some work fixing things here and there. I think that they are serving prison sentences for minor crimes. Oh also there is a housing program where they use these inmates to build the houses.
Mar 28th, 2007
al
I am the parent of a student at fsdb. the fact that they would hire felons, one of which was convicted of lewd and lacivious acts on a child under 16 is outragious , and yes, there is a law which was clearly violated . the jessica lunsford act passed in 2005. there was a big meeting with head of security last year telling parents how secure the campus is..ha ha ha. And now this ? president dillingham and the head of security should be fired for thier obvious lack of common sence. Mind you, thete is more to this story. fsdb is covbering up
Mar 30th, 2007
crisa
i play cheerleader since 3years.i think i love it
Jan 14th, 2008
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