Florida Department of Education Responds to Letter
In November, FAC sent a letter to the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Education after we had received complaints from parents who were denied access to their children’s school events.
Below is the response from the Department of Education confirming that there is no State law that precludes a parent who is required to register from attending a parent-teacher conference, graduation, school play or other events in their child’s life, so long as they meet the conditions set forth in the Statute (§ 856.022). If you are a parent, not on probation and your child’s school is preventing you from attending such an event, please know the law and remind them of it.
February 17, 2020
Ms. Gail Colletta
Dear Ms. Colletta:
Commissioner Richard Corcoran, Florida Department of Education (Department), asked the Department’s Office of Safe Schools to respond to your November 8, 2019, correspondence regarding “children of parents who are required to register as sexual offenders.” The Office of Safe Schools is pleased to respond on behalf of the Commissioner.
For assistance, we contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) office of Missing Persons & Offender Registration. FDLE provided the following information:
We are not aware of any restrictions in Florida’s sex offender registration statutes related to a registrant’s ability to participate in or be present at school functions or meetings. There is a procedure outlined in section 856.022, Florida Statutes, that applies when a registrant plans to attend an event at a child care facility or school.
However, individuals required to register may also be required to adhere to other court ordered restrictions and/or laws in terms of their contact or proximity with children or others, which may impact their ability to attend events at a child’s school.
Factors that could impact such a scenario include:
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- The individual is currently under supervision for their offense and may require permission from their probation officer or may have a court ordered restriction impacting their attendance;
- The victim(s) of their offense is a student, faculty, or staff member at the school where they wish to attend the function, and the individual is restricted from contact or proximity to victim(s) and/or their school/place of work; or
- The individual must comply with other court ordered directives, local laws and ordinances, or school board policies.
We are not familiar of any specific policies or procedures that districts have in place that may influence these scenarios. Individual districts would be best place to contact for that information.
Should you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Ms. Debra Sheets by calling 850-245-7859 or email [email protected].
Sincerely,
Damien Kelly, Executive Director
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I just spent the last year going through this. When my child started public school I identified myself to the office and was still issued an ID since nothing came back on their system. I had full permissions until I was notified that a concerned parent complained. Finally I was contacted by the Manatee County School board legal dept. and told the policy was not to be allowed on school grounds or even the adjoining park. After many conversations I found that the principal had the main control. I contacted him and we came to an understanding. I could pickup and drop off my child. Conferences in the room next to the office. But no other events or entry without being accompanied by school official which they could not provide. I asked law enforcement if I could hire off duty officers to attend events. Said it was an interesting idea but I haven’t tried yet. This letter gives me more hope that I may be able to move forward. There are a myriad of small facts omitted here but it is a long story. Thank you FAC and to all. Stay strong.
Were you ever able to come to an understanding with your principal? I am currently going through this process. I have recently got off of probation about a month ago. About the same time my son’s mother passed away so now I am there only one he has. It was in my papers that I was allowed to pick him up and drop him off while on probation, and I am covered by 856.022 now that I am off. The principal seemed to be accepting that I was all that he has left and that she would make it possible for me to be at his events, but it seems now that she is kicking it up to her superior. If you read the statute closely it says that an assigned chaperone can be there with me and I would of course follow 1&2 by email informing her of my arrival and etc. But I think that the key word there is assigned. I have had a couple family members sign up to be cleared to chaperone with the county, couldn’t they just be”assigned” to me, or am I being to hopeful?
So to make this scenario realistic. My step son was sick at school today and my wife has to leave work early, an hour away, and come get him. I’m going to call the sheriff tomorrow and all what I have to do to be able to pick him up. I will let you know what they say.
Please do!
So the update as we stand now is this I called VCSO and was told by them after checking with a couple of people that there should be no issue with me going to pick up my child if sick or pick up or drop off my child.
I called the school district because VCSO said I should verify there as well. I was told I cannot be on school property. I respectfully and calmly asked a couple scenarios like drop off in pick up line, or teacher conferences. I had transferred around to three people and finally it came down to someone will call me back because it would be up to her and the school. I kept it about my kids will being. I am a parent, I have a child starting school in a year and a half. I need to know I can participate in his education. So now I wait and see.
Thanks PLEASE continue to keep us informed.
So she called, I missed the call and called her back. I referred to myself as a registered citizen and she was totally confused. I said RSO, and we moved forward. I decided planting the seed was enough.
So she was very nice and explained that I just need to be upfront and open with there principal and let them know what I will need to do as far as pick up drop off stuff. If they call with a sick kid just say ok I’m coming and let them know ahead of time.
I am very curious about school functions like concerts or plays as my older boy is in band and drama. Teacher conferences also. I kept it easy and quick today and called it a win, which is nice. Ultimately it sounds like they principal is the final obstacle, charter schools are a different sorry if thing I guess so I’ll have to deal with that but at least I know the sheriff’s view and district stance. This is Volusia for clarification.
Everybody’s in charge and nobody is in charge.
Actually the person I needed to speak to was in a meeting. She called back. We have to understand there nature of things. While it’s not right, public perception plays a huge part of it.