School districts check teachers once prior to hiring

SPOKANE -- Some local school districts could be putting criminals in the classroom.

Most of the time, background checks for teachers are only required prior to when they are hired. Teachers who have criminal records in other states, commit crimes after they get hired, or have criminal cases pending could still get hired at some Inland Northwest school districts.

KREM.com

Ralph Willcox worked in at least three local school districts for years after being convicted of molesting a 14-year-old boy. The 58-year-old got his teaching license in January 2001. Ten months later he was convicted of molestation.

Willcox continued to substitute teach until 2003 for Spokane Public Schools and the Central Valley School District. He was on the substitute teaching list for the East Valley School District until 2004

The school districts involved say the Washington State Patrol and the FBI only do background checks on substitutes and full time teachers before they're hired. School officials do not know if employees have convictions after they're hired, unless they move and are required to get a new background check.

The districts had no idea Willcox had a record because his crimes happened after he was hired.

The Prosser School District pays a firm to check employees' social security numbers to make sure they aren't using an alias. The firm also re-checks backgrounds every other year.