Want to teach? Be honest about arrests

In light of recent sex scandals, Hillsborough School Board members want to make it crystal clear to job applicants: If you have a criminal history, you must report it. Even if the charges later were dropped, or the record sealed.

The Board will consider adding clarifying language to its employment application this afternoon.

Two of the Hillsborough teachers in this year's sex scandals had prior records.

Stephanie Ragusa was hired even though she omitted her arrest record on her application. In a background check, school officials discovered the truth about the 29-year-old teacher, accused of having sex with a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy she met while teaching last year at Davidsen Middle.

Freedom High teacher Mary Jo Spack, 45, accused of having sex with a 17-year-old boy after buying liquor and bringing him to a motel, revealed on her employment application that she had been charged with driving with a suspended license in 1994.