CITY SCHOOLS' CHIEF ACTS TO WARN PARENTS OF PREDATORS

Oct. 26, 2006

By SARAH McCROBIE, Staff Writer

Within a casual stroll of the Oswego Community Christian School, a registered sex offender makes his home.

Some 27 registered sex offenders live in Oswego, with a dozen of them living within a half mile of schools.

The sex offenders include three local men, who reside in homes within 1/2 mile from Leighton Elementary School; four men near Kingsford Park School, including one who lives .28 miles away; and one offender living 1/2 mile away from Riley Elementary School, and one near Fitzhugh, according to www.familywatchdog.us.

To make students, parents, and faculty aware of these individuals, Superintendent of Schools David Fischer recently mailed an informational letter to notify parents of Oswego students.

“I know parents are concerned about this issue, and this letter provided them with information to help them locate sex offenders within the district,” Fischer said.

Although Fischer is not legally required to inform parents of sex offenders living in the area, Fischer said he felt obligated to do so, “as it has the potential to impact district students.”

In addition to informing parents that there is a paroled sex offender living in the district, the superintendent also provided a Web site and the phone numbers of local law enforcement departments aimed at tracking registered sex offenders.

Fischer said that he sent out a similar letter last year after meeting with other Oswego County superintendents and members of the sheriff's department and other law enforcement officials. Despite the district's continual efforts to make parents aware, the superintendent said it is no easy task.

“The sex offender registry changes frequently ... It's a cumbersome task to keep parents informed because of all the changes,” Fischer said. However, he noted that the district was doing its best to increase awareness of sex offenders in the area, and said he would continue distributing such letters in the future.

CITY SCHOOLS' CHIEF ACTS TO WARN PARENTS OF PREDATORS

Within a casual stroll of the Oswego Community Christian School, a registered sex offender makes his home.

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