I read with concern the story on the failure of the state and local agencies to move to electronic fingerprinting (“Prints of Darkness a Peril to Schoolkids,” Jan. 18).

This situation is unacceptable and can be improved. As a school leader, hiring quality teachers and ensuring public-school children’s safety are my most important responsibilities.

Teachers must get the same fingerprint clearance as bus drivers.

I am fortunate that the NYC Charter Center, which provides support to charter schools, understood that hiring delays were not an option. They contracted with the state’s vendor to install a scanning machine.

Now charter schools working with the center can find out whether teachers should be teaching in their school, often within one to two days.

This is just one more example of how public charter schools are leading the way.

Shubert Jacobs

Principal, Bronx Charter School for Better Learning The Bronx