Hello,
I am 3 weeks into choreographing a musical at a new school district and was informed that I need to complete my clearances. I have worked for another school 2 years, and this was never required. While I do not have a problem filling the forms out, I don't like that now I have to pay the extra money for this, when I'm getting paid a marginal amount from the district. Should I question this or just pay? I only have 4-5 more weeks, two of which I will not be there. Thanks!

Pay. They never should have let you in the door without your clearances, and you're not going to be able to change the policy for strangers working in a public school. Think about it as a parent: would you want the school to let ANYONE in the doors without at least doing a background check on them? For all they know, you have a warrant for your arrest in Alaska.

And, hate to break it to you, some clearances have to be done every year, so if you return next year you'll have to do it again. However, they are a good thing to be able to put on your resume for other teaching jobs: "FBI Fingerprint Clearance". Always try and get an official copy of the report yourself if you can, if not, have the unofficial copy handy in case someone asks for it.

Thanks for the response! I just think that they should possibly pay since this wasn't discussed prior to me working! But I prob will just go ahead and do so. Yes, they are a good thing to have anyways.

I don't teach for public schools, but I personally think the school should pay (or at least split it 50/50). If an employer runs a background check in any other setting (besides a school), they pay for it, not the potential employee.

Plus, as you said, they didn't tell you before they hired you that you would have to pay for it. So I think it's unfair to spring it on you like that.

Every teacher should have their clearances anyway. It's an investment into "your" business. You become and instant hire for studio's if you already have them and do not have to wait to get them in. Make several copies to have on hand if needed. Even for future volunteering, you are now set to know that you are cleared of child abuse and a criminal history and you can perform a service.

I agree, just pay. They have been required for all public (and many private) schools that I have worked for. It’s a good thing to advertise about yourself. I also don’t renew mine every two years unless needed. I wait for someone to request them and then say, “Oh gosh, I see that mine have expired” and then I have the renewed ones in my hands within a few days. It saves me a few bucks, as I don’t have to always renew and many schools haven’t requested an updated copy if I continue working there. (And most of the time I don’t mean to be deceiving, I just don’t always realize that I’m outdated!!!)

I have only had one place willing to pay for them. However, they became property of that school and when another place requested them, I had to have them done again.

The cost is minimal. Once you have it, you have it. It's worth it.

Ok, now I'm annoyed! I get a letter stating that I need the 3 clearances plus a TB skin test!!! Has anyone needed that for choreography?? I'm not even getting paid that much and I'm halfway done with teaching. The law states this only applies if employed for ninety days, and I'm technically done around 57 days, 84 if u count to the actual show. This should have been stated before I offered to do this, for the dollar amount they want to pay. Ugh!

All volunteers need these clearances too, and they don't get paid anything.

I agree that it seems unfair, but the cost is only about $10. or $15./each. Sometimes, in a school situation, the school nurse will do the tb tine test. The up side is that you will have them for your next job.

Keep On Dancing*

It is annoying, but it's also like starting a job and needing a uniform that you have to purchase. It happens everywhere. The main upside is that you get to take these with you and won't need to update this uniform for a while.

I agree, it should have been stated. Maybe see if they will cover teh TB test.