GAO Report Says Schools Hired and Retained Staff with Histories of Sexual Misconduct
A new government report released today found that individuals with histories of sexual misconduct were hired or retained, in at least once instance, breaking existing state laws that prohibit offenders from being near children or on school grounds. The report, issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and conducted at the behest of U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, highlights 15 cases of public and private schools hiring or retaining teachers, support staff, coaches and volunteers who had histories of sexual misconduct. In at least 11 of the cases, the offenders who were hired or retained had previously targeted children. In at least 6 of the cases, the offenders abused more children after they were hired.
"This report is horrific and incredibly troubling. It is very clear from GAO's work that there was a major breakdown in the schools highlighted in this report - and quite possibly, in many more schools across the country," said Miller. "Our schools have a fundamental obligation to children and parents that all students are safe at school at all times. What we see here is a major violation of that trust and very poor judgment by some school officials. I hope to work in a bipartisan way to develop legislative options that ensure the steps that need to be taken at the local level actually take place to prevent these types of abuses from happening again to another child."