MCPS to draft background-screening policy after inspector general findings; 1,000+ employees re-cleared

Montgomery County Public Schools staff told the Policy Management Committee Sept. 16 they will prepare a new board policy on background screening to close gaps identified following an inspector general report. Kalyn Conley, chief of the Office of Human Resources and Talent Management, said the district enrolled employees in a continuous, federal criminal-history background-screening program and had re-cleared over 1,000 employees as part of a districtwide effort. Conley said MCPS currently maintains a regulation governing background checks for volunteers but has no equivalent, consistent regulation or policy that covers employees and contractors. The proposed policy would provide a unified statement of the district's expectations and safeguards, close regulatory gaps and align practices with peer districts. Conley said the district has formed an internal working group with HR and legal to develop formal suitability-determination guidelines that would be incorporated into the policy. Board members asked for clarity about what would constitute disqualifying conduct and how restorations of eligibility would be treated; Conley said the working group is developing formal suitability guidelines to ensure fair and consistent determinations. A committee member requested an annual comprehensive report to the board describing the volume and outcomes of background-screening work; Conley said staff would provide such reporting as part of policy implementation. Staff said they plan to bring a draft policy to the committee and the Board of Education for review in December.