The Johnson City Board of Education voted at its May meeting to end the district's role as a public enrollment location for Identigo, approving a motion to terminate the public contract with 90 days' notice.

Board members said the district will pursue options to provide fingerprinting only for educators and school employees, rather than operate as a public enrollment site. Amber Forbes, a district staff member who has been handling contract questions, told the board that the regional Identigo contact told her "there was not an option to cancel early, that we had to provide a 90 day notice." The board's motion specified 90 days or sooner if an earlier termination option is confirmed.

Why it matters: the district has served as a public Identigo location that community members and employees can use for background enrollments. Ending the public contract will remove that public-facing service unless the board chooses to negotiate a separate educator-only contract.

Board discussion and next steps: the board heard that an educator-only arrangement would require the district to set appointments, possibly purchase equipment, and manage access if it wanted to continue offering fingerprinting to teachers from this and neighboring districts. Board members asked staff to return with cost comparisons and details on whether the district could operate an educator-only service. The board also asked for updates on other publicly available fingerprinting locations in Johnson City until security and foyer projects are completed.

The motion to end the public Identigo contract passed with a single recorded no vote. Board member Thomas Hager was recorded as opposed; other board members voted in favor.

Staff will return to the board with options and estimated costs for an educator-only enrollment contract and timing for an effective termination of the public contract.