Background Checks

In an attempt to help protect our school children from abuse and exploitation, Vermont law (16 V.S.A. sections 251-260) requires/authorizes criminal background investigations (including a fingerprint supported FBI check and a check with the Vermont Criminal Information Center) and registry checks with the Agency of Human Services (AHS), the Adult Protective Services, and the Child Abuse registry Unit, on the following individuals:

1. All school employees (including substitutes, temporary and as-needed employees) being recommended for employment
2. Student teachers
3. Contractors and employees of contractors who have unsupervised contact with school children
4. School volunteers

Said individuals will be required to provide fingerprints, releases, and other information necessary to conduct background investigations.

The process outlined below should be completed prior to the commencement of services with our district. All offers of employment (or service agreements) shall be conditioned upon an acceptable background check. Although employment/service with the district may commence prior to the completion of the background check process or receipt of the results, continued employment/services with the district shall be contingent upon a satisfactory background check. Below is the process that must be completed:

1. Complete the required background check paperwork with BSD Human Resources. This is an in-person meeting. During this appointment, we will provide you with the required paperwork for fingerprinting and a blank fingerprint receipt. Please be prepared to provide acceptable identification (e.g. PHOTO Driver’s license, Passport, etc.) to enable us to verify your identity and signature. Any employee or student teacher must provide I-9 acceptable identification. Your badge photo will also be taken during this meeting. There is a $13.25 fee, cash or check only, charged by the Department of Public Safety. Without acceptable identification and the associated fee, the BSD Human Resources team will be unable to process your background check.
2. After completing the required paperwork with BSD Human Resources, please make an appointment to have your fingerprints taken at a designated Identification Center. Typically, there is a $25.00 charge for the fingerprints that will be collected by that Identification Center.
   • You must bring two forms of identification with you in order to be fingerprinted. You will also need to bring your completed Fingerprint Authorization Certificate, which will be provided to you by Human Resources. Fingerprints will not be taken without this certificate.
   • For a list of Identification Centers, acceptable forms of identification, and other information about the fingerprinting process (e.g. expectations at the Identification Centers, acceptable forms of ID, acceptable prints, etc.), please visit the Vermont Criminal Information Center (VCIC) website at: https://vcic.vermont.gov/ch-information/record-checks/fingerprint-id-centers.
3. While at the Identification Center, the fingerprinting officer will give you a Fingerprint Receipt. Please return this fingerprint receipt, as well as the fingerprint receipt you received from Human Resources, to the BSD Human Resources Office located at 150 Colchester Ave, Burlington VT 05401. You can also respond to your confirmation email with a photo of these receipts.

Please follow these steps to schedule a background check appointment with BSD Human Resources to complete the required background check paperwork:

1. Click on this link to complete the Background Check/Pre-Onboarding Session Signup Google Form.
2. Please be sure to complete the form with your most current information.
3. We will send you a confirmation email with important information about what to bring with you to this appointment. Be sure to check your Gmail/personal email account for this confirmation.

If you have any questions, please call the Human Resources department at (802) 864-2159.

If you have recently completed a fingerprint supported FBI Criminal Records Check process with another Vermont Public School District within the past  three years, you may not have to repeat the fingerprint supported criminal record check process above if:

• the record still exists;
• it is an Education* criminal record check;
• you have not had a break in service greater than one year;
• you agree to sign a release, and;
• the original holder agrees to release a copy of the record to BSD.

* Volunteer and NCPA Employment record checks are unable to be disseminated, per state statute.

The above rule only applies to the fingerprint-supported FBI criminal records check. The VCIC check and all registry checks shall be redone prior to service within our district. Please make a background check appointment to complete the necessary paperwork to transfer your fingerprints to BSD.

In the event a notice of a criminal record is received and the individual is not eligible for employment, the individual shall be provided a copy of the record along with a notice of their appeal rights with VCIC: Within 30 days of receiving the results of the record check, the individual shall have the right to appeal the findings to the Vermont Criminal Information Center, Department of Public Safety, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, Vermont, 05671-2101.

Upon arrival, please use the parking spots designated as Visitor parking. Once parked, Human Resources can be found on the right side of the building under the breezeway. Please pass through the double glass doors, and the Human Resources Office can be found to the immediate left.