It is illegal to discriminate against employees or prospective employees based on sex, race, age, national origin or religion.  It is therefore essential to avoid any appearance of discrimination in the employment process.

In an effort to protect the board, the members of the board and the school district, the questions on the employment application and the questions typically asked in personal interviews should be carefully examined.

Following are a few of the sensitive areas that, in the view of some experts, should be avoided on application forms, during interviews and while making reference checks:

1.  Age or date of birth
2.  Own or rent home
3.  Sex
4.  Religion, church attended
5.  Father’s surname or applicant’s maiden name
6.  Marital status, plans for a family
7.  Number and age of children and child care arrangements
8.  Place of employment of spouse or parent
9.  Name of bank and information on loans outstanding
10. Club, political or religious organization membership
11. Naturalized or native born citizen
12. Photograph
13. Race, national origin of candidate or candidate’s parents
14. Candidate’s height or weight