Sexual Conduct in School Districts at its Worst
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Sexual Conduct in School Districts at its Worst

Date: April 16, 2008
By: Erika Navarrete
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 1314

Intro: The sexual affair between a teacher and his 13-year-old student prompted legislation that made its way from the Missouri House to the Senate.

Erika Navarrete (Nahv-ah-rett) has more from the State Capitol.

RunTime:0:50
OutCue: SOC

The Senate Education Committee heard a measure that passed in the House with an overwhelmingly vote of 139 to six.

Republican Representative Jane Cunningham said sexual conduct within school districts is six times greater than the priesthood scandal.

 

Actuality:  CUNNING.WAV
Run Time: 00:15
Description: "The gravity of the problem and numerous incidences of sexual misconduct shows us that we have got to do something very quickly to protect our students but to do it fairly so that our teachers are not unjustly accused." 


The bill requires annual background checks for teachers and open communication between school districts to ensure good decisions while hiring. 

It would also prohibit teachers from restricting administrators and parents from viewing their networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace. 

Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Erika Navarrete, KMOX News. 

Intro: A bill that would protect students from sexual misconduct passed the Missouri House in a 139 to six landslide and made its way to the Senate Education Committee.

Erika Navarrete (Nahv-ah-rett) has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:48
OutCue: SOC

The measure was prompted by a teacher who had a sexual affair with his 13-year-old student and was re-hired to teach in another district.

This legislation would require annual background checks for teachers and open communication between school districts to ensure good decisions while hiring.  

Although Mike Wood from Missouri State Teachers Association said this bill will improve student safety and ensure that students are in a safe environment, he did have concerns in opposition.

 

Actuality:  MIKE.WAV
Run Time: 00:12
Description: "There's concerns. Within the bill there's a couple of revisions that teachers are guilty until proven innocent and I think we want to make sure it's the other way around. That if there is unsubstantiated reports out there, that those go away which is what they should."
 
The measure is pending before the Senate Education Committee.
 
Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Erika Navarrete, KMOX News.