School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 5-68

STUDENTS

Sex Offender Registry Notification

A. Sex Offender Registration Notification

The Virginia Beach School Board recognizes the danger sex offenders pose to student safety. Therefore, to protect students while they travel to and from school, attend school or attend or participate in school-related activities, the Superintendent shall request notification of registered sex offenders in the same or contiguous zip codes as any school within the division via electronic mail. Such request shall be made in accordance with the procedure established by the Virginia Department of State Police. The information shall be used to screen current or prospective employees or otherwise for the protection of the division school children. The Superintendent shall receive the registered sex offender information from the State Police. The Superintendent shall promulgate regulations designed to ensure that this information is provided to the appropriate employees and is used only in accordance with the law.

B. Annual Notification

At the beginning of each school year, the Superintendent shall notify parents and division employees of the provisions of this policy and the acceptable use of information obtained pursuant to this policy.

C. Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information

The Virginia Beach School Board recognizes that it is the responsibility of local law enforcement officials to notify the community of potential public danger. Therefore, the Superintendent shall not disseminate sex offender registry information to parents. However, the Superintendent shall work closely with local law enforcement officials to determine when and under what circumstances local law enforcement officials will notify the community about the presence of a registered sex offender.

D. Unauthorized Use of Sex Offender Registry Information

Sex offender registry information may be used for: (1) the administration of criminal justice, (2) for the screening of current or prospective employees or volunteers or (3) otherwise for the protection of the public in general and children in particular. Unauthorized use of sex offender registry information with the intent to harass or intimidate another is a Class 1 misdemeanor and may subject the person using such information to criminal prosecution. Any employee using sex offender registry information in an unauthorized manner will be subject to discipline up to and including termination.

Legal References:

Virginia Code § 19.2-298.1

Virginia Code § 19.2-390.1

Virginia Code § 19.2-390.2

Editor's Note
For pre-screening of employees against violent sex offender website maintained by Virginia State Police, see policies 4-56, 4-57, 2-48, and 4-90.

 

Adopted by School Board: May 16, 2000