BCSC board adopts two policies

In an effort to keep students safe, Batesville Community School Corp. trustees enacted two policies Sept. 15 that deal with sex offenders.

The policy on offenders states, “individuals listed by the State of Indiana as registered sex offenders are ineligible for employment in any position with the Batesville Community School Corp.”

It continues, “No registered sex offender whose victim was a minor may come on the campus of any ... school except as otherwise provided in this policy.” If a principal or other administrator sees an offender on school property, the official will order the person to leave immediately. If the offender disregards the order, police will be called and later criminal or civil action may occur.

The policy states, “In the event that a registered sex offender whose victim was a minor has a child” attending school, the principal may modify the restrictions to allow the parent to drop off and pick up the child and attend parent-teacher conferences, but the parent may not linger on school property. “The parent is prohibited from being in any part of the school building except the front office. Volunteering at the school or participating on school trips or at school events is prohibited.”

The document notes, “At all times, school officials shall endeavor to protect the privacy of the offender’s child.”

A parent on the registry may ask for a waiver of the policy to attend graduation or another “truly exceptional situation.”