Board reviews contractor background-check rules, mental-health MOUs and supervision for interns

Board members asked district staff for clarity about background-check responsibilities in board-approved MOUs and whether the district can view contractors’ personnel records. Director (S3) read contract language stating that contractors must comply with Tennessee Code Annotated requirements and must "provide fingerprinting and criminal-history record checks conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation" for employees, subcontractors and volunteers who will enter school grounds in student-facing roles. He said criminal background checks are conducted at the contractor’s expense and that contractors must maintain those records.

When asked whether district staff can inspect contractors’ background-check files, the director said federal law and practice generally prohibit the district from retaining another employer’s personnel records; instead the district sets standards and requires contractors to verify compliance. Board members and staff discussed trust and verification mechanisms, with the director noting that if an issue arises the district would work with the contracting company and bring concerns forward.

Members also discussed mental-health support agreements. The director and school staff said Allied provided targeted support after a recent incident and that the district has two MOUs in place with Helen Ross McNabb and Allied for mental-health services; Allied saw two students with parental permission and contacted parents afterwards, and extra school counselors were deployed to affected schools. The board did not take formal action but was reminded that MOUs go through two work sessions before appearing on a business agenda for decision.

No votes were recorded on MOUs or background-check policy at the meeting; staff were asked to provide background-check procedure documentation and the bullying policy/investigative paperwork to board members.