New London, CONNECTICUT

October 22, 2008 - Hired in August, Alison Sposato, 34, was arrested and charged with possession of crack cocaine and driving in possession of crack cocaine.

She is an English as a Second Language teacher at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School. According to Rhode Island court records, Sposato pleaded no contest and was sentenced to one year of probation in 1999 for simple assault and shoplifting.

She resigned. The district will inquire with its attorney on how best to strengthen its screening process to ensure the district does not hire people deemed unfit to work with children.

No public school in Connecticut does random drug testing. Most, including New London, do not do pre-employment testing which would most likely be a matter of negotiations with the teacher's union. (Be sure to read the comments at the story.)

Oct 23 - "Screening teachers for drugs"
Parents would like stricter hiring policies including drug testing. New London police, fire, and public works do pre-employment drug testing and are considering random testing.

Oct. 24 - The Day.com editorial, "Hiring concerns in teacher arrest"
QUOTE The district's application for teaching positions, posted on its Web site, requires applicants to reveal a criminal record if they have one and, if so, to provide details. School officials have not said whether Ms. Sposato answered the question honestly.

In this computer age, information on criminal histories is easily accessible. New London and all school districts must assure they have all the facts before hiring employees. UNQUOTE