Dist. 300 job candidates asked to consent to videotaped inerviews

Job candidates in Du Quoin Unit District 300 will be asked to sign a consent form that permits their interview to be videotaped, the school board was told last week.

According to Superintendent Matt Hickam, interviews with prospective teachers, administrators and some support staff have been videotaped for a couple of years, primarily so the tapes can be circulated to school board members.

What's new is the consent form. Hickam inherited the practice of videotaping when he became superintendent, but asked school board attorney Matt Benson to determine if there were any legal ramifications connected to it. Benson suggested a consent form be created, and he drew one up.

School board members said they generally appreciate being able to view the tapes to get a clearer idea of who the candidate is.

"I like watching the interviews, I get a better grasp of each candidate," said member Patrick Riley. Member Crystal Harsy added she likes having an unfiltered look at a prospective employee.

Du Quoin Elementary School Principal Diana Rea, however, said videotaping interviews has definitely changed the interview environment. In response to a question from Hickam she said job interviews used to be a "pretty open conversation" and now they feel more formal.

Benson said the videos will be erased within six months to a year. He added they will not be made public beyond the school board and administrators.

He also said one benefit to videotaping is having a record in case the district is later accused of asking inappropriate questions during the interview.

Both he and Hickam said candidates can refuse to be videotaped without negative consequences.

Hickam said he doesn't think videotaping candidates is a common practice among school districts, but his school board members - who frequently cannot be present at interviews - appreciate it. So far it's been used for teacher and administration candidates and some support staff.

He added the district has not gotten any negative feedback that he's aware of.