School districts across Northwest Missouri: Consider yourselves warned.

State Auditor Susan Montee, a St. Joseph Democrat, reports that a study of 30 districts across the state shows some are employing bus drivers without subjecting them to adequate background screening.

She says the problem is not widespread but includes lax practices by districts, insufficient oversight of contracts with private bus companies, and state standards that could be tougher.

“Most districts comply most of the time with most of the requirements,” she said.

We’re glad the problem is not worse, but we take little comfort in these findings. St. Joseph Public School officials report they are in compliance, but it’s unlikely that no problems exist in our region.

In fact, the situation in rural districts can be more troublesome. Tight school budgets, thin administrative staffing and a limited labor pool all can affect whether all of the steps in the screenings are done consistently. That’s a big part of the problem, according to Ms. Montee.

It’s incumbent on school leaders in every district to review their records and their practices as quickly as possible. No parent wants to hear after the fact that corners were cut or steps skipped because of a temporary strain on the budget.

These minimum steps are to be completed for all bus drivers hired in the state:

n Fingerprint-based criminal records check.

n Federally required drug test.

n Minimum required training.

Ms. Montee also wants the Legislature to consider laws to require the criminal records checks to be done annually, and to require checks to be done through the Family Care Safety Registry, which lists persons who have been cited for neglect or abuse.

Ms. Montee’s primary focus appropriately is on what the Legislature can do when it convenes next year to toughen standards and improve oversight. Our concern is what area school leaders will do in the next 60 days to ensure our children’s safety.