906 Policy: Community Notification of Sex Offenders

It is the policy of I.S.D. 834 that I.S.D. 834 will work in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies in their compliance with MS 244.052 to provide information to staff regarding known Risk Level II and Risk Level III sex offenders who are moving into the school community. Staff will be notified as appropriate and have access to Offender Fact Sheets.

                                           ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS

1. DEFINITIONS

Staff. Staff includes but is not limited to administrators, teachers, coaches, advisors, paraprofessionals, custodians, clerical and office workers, food service workers, parking lot supervisors, volunteers and transportation providers.

MS 244.052, Community Notification Act. The “Community Notification Act,” Minnesota Statute 244.052, as amended, allows law enforcement agencies to disclose information about certain sex offenders when they are released into the community. The information disclosed and to whom it is disclosed will depend upon the assessment of the level of risk posed by the sex offender.

Risk Levels. Risk Levels are the level of danger to the community as established by the Minnesota Department of Corrections following a review by a committee of experts. The level of risk assigned to a soon-to-be-released offender determines the scope of notification. 

• Risk Level I is assigned to a sex offender whose risk assessment score indicates a low risk of reoffense, requiring no disclosure to school districts.
• Risk Level II is assigned to a sex offender whose risk assessment score indicates a moderate risk of reoffense, requiring notification of school districts, private schools, day care centers and other institutions serving those likely to be victimized by the sex offender.
• Risk Level III is assigned to a sex offender whose risk assessment score indicates a high risk of reoffense. In most cases, the local law enforcement agencies will hold a community meeting and distribute an Offender Fact Sheet with information concerning and a photograph of the soon-to-be-released Level III sex offender.

Offender Fact Sheet. Offender fact sheet is a data sheet compiled by the Department of Corrections or local law enforcement agency. The Offender Fact Sheet contains both public and private data including a photograph and physical description of the sex offender, as well as the general location of the sex offender’s residence.

Criminal history conviction data. Criminal history conviction data is public data on a convicted criminal which is compiled by the State Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).