New stalking and computer hacking charges against a Lakeville middle school principal are adding urgency to a push by a state legislator and education advocates for a more rigorous response to criminal behavior by teachers and administrators.
"It's seriously alarming that these things are happening," said Rep. Kelly Fenton, R-Woodbury, who is pushing a measure at the Capitol that would prevent principals, teachers and others with certain criminal offenses from getting a state license to work in Minnesota schools.
Charges this week against Lakeville Principal Chris Endicott are one of several criminal investigations involving Minnesota school principals.
Other high-profile cases in the past year include a former Bemidji Middle School assistant principal convicted of child pornography-related charges, and a former Chanhassen High School principal who was sentenced to five years in prison on child pornography charges.
"This is a shock," said David Adney, director of the Minnesota Association of Secondary Principals, of which Endicott is a member.
To become a principal in Minnesota, one must go through a lengthy interview process that involves meeting with school faculty, community members and often superintendents, Adney said.
Once a recommendation is made, mandatory background checks are ordered by individual school districts. But Adney suggests that school districts should regularly check up on principals later to make sure there are no red flags — key in cases where the criminal behavior occurs after employment.
Fenton said Friday that her legislation, still in draft form, would "sharpen, clarify and expand" current law, tightening the grounds for denial, revocation or suspension of an educator's license. While her measure does not directly address already mandatory background checks, it does push for a more rigorous response to a broader array of felony convictions.