In late September, Williamson County Schools (WCS) and the Franklin Special School District (FSSD) began requiring fingerprint background checks on all referees when it was discovered that the TSSAA (Tennessee Secondary School School Athletic Association) had not been conducting background checks on game official
Football official Kyle Gill was suspended by the TSSAA for discrepancies in his application. Gill pleaded no contest in 2007 to attempted statutory rape and aggravated criminal trespassing, was sentenced to probation and was ordered to “not take any job with any school system while on probation” in Rutherford County. This incident motivated the TSSAA too look into implementing background checks for referees. The topic has been added to the agenda for their Nov. 12 board meeting.
However, WCS and other school districts wanted to move forward with background checks as soon as possible.
“While it is encouraging to learn that the TSSAA has expressed an interest in addressing this issue in the months to come, we do not feel comfortable with the status quo,” said Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney. “Therefore, WCS will not wait on the TSSAA to ensure the safety of our students.”
WCS paid for these background checks through October 9. Currently, WCS finger printed 240 TSSAA game officials, 21 of those background checks game back with criminal charges, ranging from drug charges, sexual assault, child abuse and others.
Looney said those with considerable criminal records will be banned from working with their schools (Source).
All charges were reviewed. “Some of those [charges] will be cleared. They are going through the vetting process with our HR department. Once cleared they will be issued a WCS Sports Conference badge,” said District Athletic Director Jeremy Qualls.
Wednesday, Dr. Looney tweeted:
WCS has done background checks on 240 TSSAA officials and 96% have been cleared to continue work in our district! The others – no thank you.
— Dr. Mike Looney (@wcsDirofSchools) October 14, 2015
TSSAA does not currently run background checks on its applicants; they only ask if the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony. TSSAA says they do not employ the officials, school districts do, which is why complete background checks were not conducted. This will be discussed next month at their board meeting.
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