October 2026 Enrollment Data

Background Check Policy

Purpose

The Montessori School of Wooster is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all students. This policy establishes requirements for criminal background checks for employees and volunteers who have direct contact with students.

Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All teaching employees

  • All nonteaching employees

  • All volunteers who have direct contact with students

Policy Statement

No individual shall be permitted to work or volunteer in a position involving direct contact with students without first undergoing and successfully passing required background checks in accordance with applicable Ohio law.

Background Check Requirements

1. Employees (Teaching and Nonteaching)

All prospective employees must complete:

  • A Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) background check

  • A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background check

Conditions of Employment:

  • Employment is contingent upon receipt of satisfactory results

  • Background checks must be completed prior to the start of employment

  • Employees must undergo periodic rechecks as required by Ohio law or school policy

2. Volunteers with Direct Student Contact

Any volunteer who will have unsupervised or direct contact with students must:

  • Complete a BCI background check

  • Complete an FBI background check, if required under Ohio law (e.g., non-Ohio residents within the past five years)

Supervision Exception:

  • Volunteers who are always under direct supervision of a cleared employee may be exempt from full background checks, at the discretion of the school administration

Disqualifying Offenses

Individuals may be disqualified from employment or volunteer service if background checks reveal offenses that would:

  • Prohibit employment under Ohio law

  • Raise concerns about the safety and well-being of students

The school reserves the right to evaluate results on a case-by-case basis, consistent with legal requirements.

Confidentiality

  • All background check results will be treated as confidential

  • Records will be securely maintained and accessed only by authorized personnel

Compliance and Enforcement

  • Failure to comply with this policy will result in ineligibility for employment or volunteer service

  • Any employee or volunteer found to have falsified information will be subject to immediate termination or dismissal

Responsibility

The Head of School or designee is responsible for:

  • Ensuring compliance with this policy

  • Maintaining documentation of completed background checks

  • Monitoring renewal requirements

Review of Policy

This policy shall be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to remain compliant with Ohio Revised Code and best practices for student safety.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Montessori School of Wooster is committed to maintaining an educational and workplace environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, in accordance with applicable federal law and the laws of the State of Ohio, including relevant provisions of the Ohio Revised Code.

The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or Ohio law, including but not limited to Ohio Revised Code Chapters 3319, 3321, 4112, and related provisions.

This policy applies to all aspects of the School’s operations, including but not limited to:

  • Admissions and enrollment

  • Educational programs and activities

  • Financial aid and scholarships

  • Employment practices, including hiring, promotion, and compensation

  • Discipline and student services

The Montessori School of Wooster is committed to providing equal access to its programs and activities and will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and applicable Ohio law.

Title IX Compliance

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and applicable Ohio law, the Montessori School of Wooster does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities. This includes protection against sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.

The School has designated the following individual to serve as its Title IX Coordinator, responsible for overseeing compliance with Title IX and handling reports of sex-based discrimination or harassment:

Title IX Coordinator
Joe Edinger. Head of School
Montessori School of Wooster
1170 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691
330.264.5222
edinger@woomontessori.org

Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, to the Title IX Coordinator at any time, including during non-business hours. Reports may be made in person, by mail, by telephone, or by email.

Reporting and Complaint Procedure

Any student, parent, employee, or community member who believes they have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, or retaliation is encouraged to report the concern promptly to the Head of School, Title IX Coordinator, or another designated administrator.

The School will:

  • Respond promptly and equitably to all reports

  • Conduct a fair and impartial investigation

  • Take appropriate corrective action when warranted

  • Maintain confidentiality to the extent possible

  • Prohibit retaliation against any individual who reports a concern or participates in an investigation

Compliance Statement

The Montessori School of Wooster complies with all applicable federal and state non-discrimination laws, including but not limited to:

  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

  • Ohio Civil Rights Law (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4112)

 

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