Why fingerprint?

A lot has been said about the fingerprinting process for educational personnel and who should pay for it. For myself and others who have served or are still members of the military, why should anyone pay? Our fingerprints are already on file with the FBI, along with a background check so that security clearances can be granted.

Of course, if a person is still in the national guard or reserves, he or she would lose the security clearance and the ability to function as a member of the armed forces if convicted of a felony. These people should be identified so that checks can be requested at little or no cost.

Most people in Maine had their fingerprints taken when they were in elementary school. Where are these prints now and why can’t they be used? Somebody once said fingerprints don’t change. If that’s true and they are on file, why are we doing it again? David Atwood Old Town

Review, in your mind, the news reports about those who have been convicted of child abuse: police, firefighters, nurses, dentists, doctors, day care and child care providers, social workers, psychologists, parents, relatives, coaches, priests and ministers, school employees. If an abuser has not been “caught” and fingerprinted elsewhere, school fingerprinting will not protect our children. The Maine fingerprinting law will not protect children anymore than they are already protected, but it will provide a false sense of security.

Background checks performed by the state are already required for all new school employees in Maine. Court decisions have supported employers seeking information on charges of sexual harassment at previous places of employment by potential employees. What will really protect your children is vigilance.

I have been involved in education for 32 years, first as a teacher, then as a parent, and now again, as a teacher-librarian. I am a proud graduate of the University of Maine. I am also involuntarily ending my career. For if by July 2001, I am not fingerprinted I will no longer be able to be employed in my chosen profession anywhere in Maine. Why not submit? I have nothing to hide; I have one ticket for speeding and was detained by the police as I drove to a civil rights march when I was 19. Why? I do not desire to cede my rights as provided in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, nor do I want to further leave our children unprotected because legislation has put its eye upon the hole and not upon the doughnut. Susan S. Russell Bangor