>Many N.J. school board members have not complied with law requiring background checks
Roughly one-third of the state’s school board members have failed to comply with a law signed seven months ago that requires all members to undergo criminal background checks.
So far, the process has disqualified 13 officials from district and charter school boards, a Department of Education spokesman said, at least three of whom have been removed for drug-related offenses that occurred decades ago.
The law (A444) disqualifies board members for committing any crime that would also disqualify them from working in a public school, including third-degree crimes such as possession of a small amount of drugs and criminal mischief. The law’s sponsor said the removals prove the legislation’s merit, while critics contend that the mandatory background check is punitive and that most members do not work directly with students. (Calefati, The Star-Ledger)
