“Shocking.” That’s what Montgomery County Council Parent-Teacher Associations (MCCPTA) called the recent report that criminal histories of more than 12,000 Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) employees are not being monitored by the FBI’s Rap Back.
The organization’s executive committee issued a lengthy letter outlining concerns and recommendations to alleviate the backlog.
According to a 25-page report from the Office of Inspector General (OIG), besides the 12,000 employees, another 4,900 people who “potentially have access to students have not received Child Protective Services queries.”
Maryland law requires the school district conduct criminal history checks for all employees when they are hired. The applicants must undergo a Child Protective Services (CPS) check and submit fingerprints through the Rap Back program.
What the Letter Said
“For families, staff, and students, being safe in schools is of primary importance. Teaching and learning can not happen when staff and children are not safe. The Inspector General’s report provides a rational reason for families to feel unsafe,” the organization wrote.
MCCPTA called upon MCPS staff, the Board of Education, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the Maryland Department of Human Services, County Council and the County Executive “to take responsibility for the systemic failures and lack of oversight.”
In the letter, the committee questioned why it is taking so long for anything to be done. The report states that MCPS leadership was informed of the fingerprint clearance backlog in December of 2024, MCCPTA pointed out, writing, “It is hard to understand why this issue was not raised during FY26 operating budget discussions in order to ensure needed funding for clearing this backlog.”
“At a time when MCPS has immense hiring needs, its Human Resources department needs to be trusted to keep everyone–students, families, and staff–safe,” committee members stated in the letter.
The 200 PTAs in Montgomery County “stand ready to assist in disseminating information about school background check requirements and processes for volunteers.”
Asks the Board of Education to Intervene
Committee members are calling on the Board of Education to learn why the matter wasn’t discovered or corrected already, urging Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor “to repair these systemic issues quickly.”
They also requested regular updates on progress to end the backlog.
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