Arrest of ex-PTA president puts school volunteer screening under microscope
Belfair Elementary School
The North Mason School District is reviewing its policies and procedures on school volunteer background checks after the arrest of the ex-PTA president at Belfair Elementary School, the Kitsap Sun reported. David Michael Navarro is accused of videotaping the rape of a child inside the school.
Navarro was previously accused of sex crimes in San Diego in 2009, but the charges were dismissed. That incident didn't show up under the North Mason District's routine volunteer screening for two reasons, Superintendent David Peterson told the Sun. The WSP background check used by schools only includes records from Washington state and doesn't show dismissed charges older than one year. Peterson said the district is reviewing all policies and procedures to make sure kids are safe.
In the district, with just more than 2,000 students last year, volunteers clocked nearly 4,000 hours listening to students read, helping teachers prepare and hosting events, the Sun reported. Volunteers also help raise funds for band and athletics, supervise dances and help maintain the field, among other tasks.
Read more on how volunteers are screened in other districts from the Kitsap Sun here.