advanced search
Serving Callaway County communities since 1875. www.fultonsun.com Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Front Page Local News U.S. & World Sports Health News Financial News AP Video Archives Classified Ads MoDeals Place an Ad Callaway Fair Dear Abby Lottery Local Links General Info Contact Us Home Delivery News Tribune California Democrat	Posted: Thursday, Oct 26, 2006 - 08:15:25 am CDT Email this story Printer friendly version New changes in sex-offender laws help schools protect students By KIMBERLY LONG The Fulton Sun Recent changes made with the Missouri Sex Offender Registry are an extra defense that Callaway County schools use to help keep their students safe. Governor Blunt this week announced the changes that have taken place with the state registry, which include up-to-date information about sexual offenders that wasn't contained in the previous law. The registry now includes the offender's name (including aliases), date of birth, more physical details, mapping functions that chart the offender's place of residence, vehicle information, complete offenses and confinement facts, and states whether the individual is in compliance with registration requirements - all of which is vital information schools use to ensure student safety. “Any information that we have that will help us pinpoint potential risks to our students is helpful to us in communicating that with our staff, students and parents,” said Kathy Wright, director of community relations for the Fulton Public School District. When the registries are received by area school districts, the information is distributed to administrators throughout the school system and reviewed. Once the identities of the offenders and their locations are determined, schools officials then take additional steps to safeguard students. Fulton Public School counselors conduct developmental counseling classes to educate students about strangers. “Our counselors tell the students about not talking to strangers, good touches, bad touches, and the importance of reporting to an authority or adult if there is something that isn't right,” said Lynn Engle, principal at Fulton's Bush Accelerated School. “At the elementary level they are so young we try to cover it on a day-to-day basis. “And hopefully, by giving them these strategies (of awareness), they will know what's right or wrong.” Reminders about the registry and where copies can be obtained also are printed in the district's student handbook, Wright said. Schools throughout the county have similar policies regarding the sex offender registry, and appreciate the new changes as well. “The registry is a very valuable tool to us,” said South Callaway R-II superintendent Nick Boren. “It gives us information so if we do encounter a problem, we can deal with it in an appropriate way.” The Callaway County Sheriff's Department publishes the names, addresses and offenses for registrants living in Auxvasse, Fulton, Holts Summit, Kingdom City, Mokane, New Bloomfield, Williamsburg and Columbia. Residents without Internet access can obtain a free copy of the list at the sheriff's department located on Route O in Fulton. The highway patrol also offers registry information through its toll free number 888-767-6747 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The patrol's Web site registry database is available online here.
	Email this story Back to index Printer friendly version
	All Contents Copyright © 2008 The Fulton Sun. All rights reserved.  AP stories Copyright © 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Click for copyright details.  Comments or questions? Contact us.