Chenango Valley Central School District Hiring Procedures
Updated: 11/15/2024
At the Chenango Valley Central School District, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff in every aspect of our operations. As part of this commitment, we follow thorough hiring and background check procedures to ensure that all employees meet the highest standards.
We understand there may be questions about these procedures, and we want to provide clarity and transparency for our community. Below, we have outlined the steps required by New York State for all school districts and transportation departments, which we follow closely.
If you have any additional questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact Superintendent Dr. Larry Dake at [email protected] or 607-762-6810.
General Hiring and Background Check Procedures
In New York State, all school district employees must pass a multi-state background check processed through the New York State Department of Education. Most school employees are fingerprinted once, and if they pass, are active in the state’s system. Should there be any subsequent arrests of any kind, the employer is immediately notified, and we promptly follow up on these notifications.
If an individual is offered a position in our district but does not clear the New York State background check, they would not work with our students.
Beyond the background check process, we require a minimum of three references, and we request up to four, including at least one former or current supervisor. If a candidate provides a reference list made up solely of friends or family, it raises a red flag, and we request additional references, including one or two former or current supervisors.
There are times when a position is posted, and no candidates are hired. In such cases, we will repost the position if we are not satisfied with the pool of applicants. We believe it is better to repost than to hire someone who may not be a good fit for the role.
In addition to the fingerprinting and background check process, all employees are monitored by their supervisors. Each year, we appoint Title IX and District Compliance Officers, who are school district administrators taking on this responsibility alongside their regular duties. These individuals are tasked with training staff and distributing district policies in key areas, including sexual harassment, non-discrimination and anti-harassment, and workplace violence prevention.
When allegations are made against an employee by a student, staff member, or community member, the District Compliance Officers conduct an investigation to address these claims appropriately.
Additional Procedures for Bus Drivers
Bus drivers, or those who are transporting students, are required to complete additional checks and procedures through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). To ensure the safety and well-being of students, the following pre-hire qualifications and ongoing requirements are established for all school bus drivers:
Reference Checks:
Fingerprinting and Criminal History Background Check:
The candidate must undergo fingerprinting and a thorough criminal history background check.
This process is separate from the background check for other district employees; however, if the individual is employed in another capacity (e.g., Cleaner), both sets of background checks are required.
Each driver's abstract is updated annually to identify any criminal activity or traffic violations.
These checks are processed through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
Superintendent's Approval:
Physical Examination:
Candidates must pass a physical examination conducted by a certified medical professional.
The examination must meet the standards set forth by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).
Drug and Alcohol Testing:
Physical Performance Test (PPT):
State Education Department (SED) Pre-Service Course:
30-Hour SED Basic Driver's Course:
Annual Requirements:
Physical Examination: Drivers must pass a yearly physical examination conducted in accordance with New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) standards.
Refresher Training: Each year, drivers must attend two (2) mandatory refresher training sessions to stay current with safety protocols, regulations, and best practices. In addition to these sessions, the district holds monthly safety meetings and training.
Drug and Alcohol Testing: Drivers are subject to random drug and alcohol testing throughout the year, based on random selection, reasonable suspicion, or post-accident requirements.
These procedures are designed to uphold high standards in our hiring process and reflect our commitment to the safety and well-being of our students and staff.