News 12 at 6 o'clock; May 14, 2008

AIKEN, S.C. --- Parents in Aiken County are worried their kids are crossing into danger without being notified there are sex offenders in the same classrooms as their children.

News 12's Gene Petriello found out the school district says your kids are safe.

Every students gets an education, it's your constitutional right. But, one parent says it's not right she isn't told her daughter and a sex offender share the same high school classroom.

Celeste Taylor is revving up for a challenge all for the safety of her daughter.

"I have armed my daughter with as much knowledge as I can give her to protect herself," says Celeste.

She's not the only one giving her daughter protection. The Aiken County School District is doing their part too.

"We are very concerned for all students and safety in every variety," says Legal Council for the Board Bill Burkhalter.

They try to make sure a walk around a high school track for the students is simple and safe by letting school leaders know a sex offender is enrolled in their school.

"The principal is told that in confidence and the principal shares that with all the teachers. All of the staff are aware," says Bill. "Each year, we update the list and provide a copy of that list. If a parent comes in, they are entitled to look at the list."

Made aware of the offender, the problem Celeste has.

"The parents aren't notified that these kids are actually allowed in the school," says Celeste.

"It's not a matter of our discretion to exclude a student. We have no choice but to allow them," says Bill.

The county says your kids are safe. In fact, Bill tells News 12, he doesn't "recall any incidents in which a sex offender was involved in disciplinary action in a sex related nature in any of the schools during their enrollment in the school."

"This is not my last fight. I'm going to continue. I want to see the SLED website changed," says Celeste.

She wants the sex registry to have more information added, like what school the offender goes to. She plans to take her message straight to lawmakers.

Bill adds, in South Carolina, a school board can look at a record of a student who's enrolling in their school for the first time and deny them entrance. But, that would only be for one year. The offender could then go to the school the following year.

In Columbia County, school officials tell News 12, there would be a requirement to not have a sex offender in the schools or there would be a court order of education services the offender could get. Also, the board would hold a hearing with the offender to see if they would be able to go to the alternative school or any type of proper educational placement. They say principals and directors are aware of the registry and who's on it.