A registered sex offender was on the ballot this week for two Simpson County Site-Based Decision Making Council elections, raising concern among parents and educators and possibly spurring new state legislation.
Simpson County Superintendent Jim Flynn said Thursday that it was brought to his attention that a parent of children in the system, who was on the federal sex offender registry, was running for a position on the council that makes policy and decisions affecting the school.
Flynn said when he learned of the situation Thursday, he contacted school board attorneys and was advised there was nothing in the law “that prohibits or disqualifies a registered sex offender from holding (or being considered for) elected positions on SBDM councils.”
While stiff rules are in place requiring the screening of school volunteers from having contact or supervisory roles with students if they are convicted felons, nothing bars them from being elected into positions.
Kentucky law also prohibits sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, playground or day care facility, but says nothing about being on school grounds or serving in roles such as PTOs.
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