FINGERPRINTING AND BACKGROUND SCREENING PROCEDURES:

1. The School Board of Alachua County is required to conduct background screening of persons who have contracted or sub-contracted to provide services to the School Board (go to www.sbac.edu for fingerprinting and Level 2 screening procedures).  Background screening consists of submission of Contractor’s (to include employees, agents, and subcontractors) fingerprints to the FDLE and FBI.  The standard to be applied for the screening depends on the nature of the work for which the Contractor is contracted. 

2. If Contractor’s performance of the contract is not anticipated to result in direct contact with students, the screening standard is that Contractor may not have been convicted of any of the following offenses: Any offense listed in s. 943.0435(1)(a)1., relating to the registration of an individual as a sexual offender; Section 393.135, relating to sexual misconduct with certain developmentally disabled clients and the reporting of such sexual misconduct; Section 394.4593, relating to sexual misconduct with certain mental health patients and the reporting of such sexual misconduct; Section 775.30, relating to terrorism; Section 782.04, relating to murder; Section 787.01, relating to kidnapping; Any offense under chapter 800, relating to lewdness and indecent exposure; Section 826.04, relating to incest; Section 827.03, relating to child abuse, aggravated child abuse, or neglect of a child. (Use form labeled 1012.467)

3. If Contractor’s performance is anticipated to result in direct contact with students, then the screening standard is that Contractor may not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.  The School Board has defined “crimes involving moral turpitude” to include, but not be limited to the following: felony sexual-related crimes, felony child abuse crimes, murder, lewd and lascivious crimes, indecent exposure (if sexual in nature), and felony distribution or sale of controlled substances. (Use form labeled 1012.465)

4. "Convicted" means that there has been a determination of guilt as a result of a trial or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld.  Conviction of a similar offense includes, but is not limited to, a conviction by a federal or military tribunal, including courts-martial conducted by the Armed Forces of the United States, and includes a conviction or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere resulting in a sanction in any state of the United States or other jurisdiction.  A sanction includes, but is not limited to, a fine, probation, community control, parole, conditional release, control release, or incarceration in a state prison, federal prison, private correctional facility, or local detention facility.   

5. Exemptions from fingerprint based background screening: If Contractor is a non-instructional contractor with the School Board (or sub-contractor), Contractor may be exempt from the background screening requirements above if Contractor meets one of the following criteria: (Use form labeled 1012.468)

1. Contractor is under the direct supervision of a School Board employee or contractor or Contractor employee who has had a criminal history check and meets the screening requirements under s. 1012.32, s. 1012.465, s. 1012.467, or s. 1012.56. "Direct supervision" means that a School Board employee or contractor or Contractor employee is physically present with Contractor when Contractor has access to a student and the access remains in the School Board employee's or the contractor's  or the Contractor’s line of sight;

2. Contractor is required by law to undergo a level 2 background screening pursuant to s. 435.04 for licensure, certification, employment, or other purposes and Contractor submits evidence of meeting the following criteria: a)  Contractor meets the screening standards in s. 435.04, b)  Contractor’s license or certificate is active and in good standing, if Contractor is a licensee or certificate-holder, c)  Contractor has completed the criminal history check within 5 years prior to seeking access to school grounds when students are present

3. Contractor is a law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10, who is assigned or dispatched to school grounds by Contractor’s employer;

4. Contractor is an employee or medical director of an ambulance provider, licensed pursuant to chapter 401, who is providing medical transport-tion services;

5. Contractor remains at a site where students are not permitted if the site is separated from the remainder of the school grounds by a single chain-link fence of 6 feet in height;

6. Contractor provides pick-up or delivery services and those services involve brief visits on school grounds when students are present.

6. Even if Contractor is an exempt non-instructional contractor, Contractor will be subject to a search of Contractor’s name against the registration information regarding sexual predators and sexual offenders maintained by the FDLE under s. 943.043 and the national sex offender public registry maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice.  There is no charge for this search.

7. All Contractors must have their backgrounds checked by SBAC prior to starting any project.  Contractors must be electronically fingerprinted through the School Board of Alachua County, Department of Personnel Services, located in the west wing of the Kirby-Smith Center, 620 East University Avenue.  The cost of fingerprinting is $81.25 per person.  Payment may be by money order payable to Fingerprinting Services, LLC or by Visa or MasterCard  Personal checks will not be accepted. 

8. Contractors that have been fingerprinted and cleared will be issued a photo id card with their name, company name, photograph, issue date, and expiration date.  Contractors that have been fingerprinted and cleared by other Florida school districts must come to the fingerprint office for verification of the clearance.  SBAC will issue them an id card to go along with any ID issued by another district.  There is no charge for verification of this clearance from another district. 

9. The schedule for fingerprinting is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday.  The individual being fingerprinted must present his/her driver’s license or photo I.D. and fee payment. Each individual shall complete the “Contractor/Vendor Employee Fingerprinting Information” and “Affirmation of Contractual Personnel” forms as part of the fingerprinting process.  These forms are available online at www.sbac.edu. The individual shall bring the completed forms with them to the fingerprinting station. 

10. Individuals who have been cleared through Level 2 screening will be mailed an identification card.  The photo I.D. must be visibly displayed on their person at all times when on School Board property.  Individuals with criminal history may be required to provide court documents to the District Security Chief.  Criminal records will be reviewed in accordance with the School Board of Alachua County background screening guidelines. 

11. The District Security Chief will contact the contractor by phone and /or mail if an employee’s clearance is delayed pending the receipt and review of requested documents.  An individual who is awaiting clearance by the District Security Chief is not permitted access to school grounds while students are present, have direct contact with students, or have access to or control of school funds. 

12. Individuals who are not cleared through Level 2 screening will be mailed a notification letter and a copy will be mailed to their employer.  Contractors will be required to notify the School Board of Alachua County when fingerprinted employees terminate employment with their company. 

13. Certification: By executing this Agreement, Contractor swears and affirms under penalty of perjury that all of its employees, agents, and subcontractors will comply with these procedures and the requirements of the Jessica Lunsford Act. Failure to comply with these procedures or the Act shall constitute a material breach of the contract, and SBAC may avail itself of all remedies pursuant to law. Contractor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the School Board, its officers, employees, and agents, from and against any and all claims or causes of action, including without limitation those for personal injury, death, property damages, and attorney fees, arising out of or relating to Contractor's failure to comply with one or more of the requirements of this form, the Jessica Lunsford Act, SBAC’s fingerprinting procedures, and the laws of the State of Florida.