Parents Outraged To Find Out Bill Passed In 2014 Allows Sex Offenders On School Campuses With Principal's Permission
FONTANA (CBSLA.com) — Parents in Fontana met Wednesday to discuss a 2014 bill they didn't know allowed sex offenders to be on school campuses if school principals gave their permission.
Parents told KCAL9's Crystal Cruz they were outraged that such a law could be enacted without their knowledge.
The bill read, "Any person who is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Penal Code 290, including a parent/guardian of a district student, shall request written permission from the principal before entering the school campus or grounds."
Cruz reported it was a victory for parents and the community.
"I do not want my two little cousins around any sex offenders. If anybody ever hurt them I would be so angry, I don't know what I would do," said one young girl.
"Don't play with our kids because there's going to hell to pay for it," said one parent.
Parents are concerned about a new policy the Fontana School Board is discussing -- allowing principals to grant registered sex offenders permission to volunteer at schools -- as long as parents are notified.
It's all because a state law quietly passed in 2014 has come to light which allows sex offenders to ask to volunteer.
"I do also understand this is not a new law. This law has been on the books for awhile. So here's the problem, how did we as school districts allow this law to be on the books as long as it has been?" said another angry parent.
A district spokesperson says they were never looking at a policy to open the doors to sex offenders, but now they are trying to comply with state law.
"We have to sit down with the attorneys. We have to follow the law," said board member Barbara Chavez.
Minutes later another board member seemed to take a different tone.
"The people have spoken and we will not let sex offenders into our campuses," board member Jesse Armendarez said.
The board ended up voting "no" to any sex offenders being on campus at any time.
