Violation of civil liberties protested

Picture this humiliating scene. We, a group of angry teachers and school staff from Bangor schools, stood for over an hour at about 6 p.m. in a Bangor High School cafeteria with glass walls, waiting to be fingerprinted. We filled out forms with private information in duplicate, showed a picture ID, were fingerprinted, and for that privilege, paid $49 to the Treasurer of the state of Maine. To add insult to injury, as we stood being fingerprinted as would common criminals, high school students attending an afternoon sporting event stood at the windows, pointing and laughing at their teachers. We are dedicated teachers with a combined teaching experience of 47 years and do not deserve this offensive treatment.

Several compelling arguments demonstrate why this fingerprinting law is wrong. First, because we are considered guilty until proven innocent, the civil liberties of 70,000 educators and school employees have been violated. This unjust method of accusation is contrary to our American system of law, which has for centuries declared one is innocent until proven guilty. Second, we are required to pay for this process, something that even those accused of crime do not have to do. Third, there is no guarantee that an FBI and state background check will reveal any child molesters who have not previously been identified. Furthermore, this process appears to some as a witch-hunt since only working teachers and staff in public schools have been targeted. In other states fingerprinting laws apply only to new hires, whereas only Maine is applying it to all school employees who have worked in schools for years. If the safety of children is teachers’ primary concern, it is also unclear why only teachers and staff working in public schools have been subjected to this law while other institutions that deal with children are exempt. Clearly, our state representatives did not research this matter adequately before passing the law.

Beyond the immediate legal and emotional problems raised by this procedure, there exist serious side effects that the legislature and the public must consider. This law engenders the erosion of public belief in Maine’s educators and raises doubts and questions focusing on the integrity of public employees who for years have proved themselves worthy of respect and trust. Such an atmosphere undermines the ability of school systems to attract the qualified candidates that Maine needs in order to alleviate the teacher shortage. As veteran teachers who offer more productive years to the education of the children of Maine, we find this disdainful view of educators makes us question our future as teachers. Is this a way to reward all teachers who, for two consecutive years, have made Maine schools first in the nation in meeting standards set by the National Education Goals Panel?

As parents and educators, our primary concern is the welfare of our children. We believe that a requirement of fingerprinting and background checks for new hires could be appropriate although the re-evaluation of present hiring procedures might prove more immediately significant. The legislature should repeal the present law, destroy the fingerprints and background reports already taken, and return fees. The legislators and the public need to understand that an atmosphere of trust and support must be re-established for education to continue to improve in the state of Maine.

Diana Yalouris Christakos is a 23-year veteran teacher with 20 years teaching in Bangor schools. Julie T. Grab is a 24-year veteran teacher with 18 years teaching in Bangor schools.