COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 67

March 26, 2004

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Registry Community Notifications

You are aware of a recent tragic event in Sarasota, Florida, in which a young girl was abducted and later murdered by a sex offender. To help prevent any similar events from happening in Virginia, it is extremely important that schools have access to information available to them through the Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Community Notifications program.

Under Section 9.1-914, Code of Virginia, only certain agencies or entities such as a licensed daycare facility, daycare center, school division, or family daycare home provider are statutorily entitled to obtain this information. The Central Criminal Records Exchange (CCRE), Virginia Department of State Police, will electronically notify the entitled organization or entity of a sex offender residing within the same or contiguous zip code. The notification will include a photograph and specific information about the sex offender.

According to recent information received from the Virginia Department of State Police, each school in Virginia is eligible to register to receive information about sex offenders residing within the same or contiguous zip code. This information service is free and is available to help protect communities from repeat sex offenders and to protect children from becoming victims of criminal offenders.

To register for this important service, go to the Virginia State Police website: www.vsp.state.va.us and click first on Sex Offender Registry; then click on Community Notification Registration. The State Police will notify the school of a sex offender residing in the defined zip code, within three business days after receipt of this information. Questions may be directed to Lt. Thomas Turner with the Department of State Police at 804-323-2001 or to Myra Shook with the Department of Education at 804-371-7586.

JLD/ADC/klr