P.O. Box 909 ● Trenton, NJ 08605-0909 ● Phone: 609.695.7600 ● Fax: 609.695.0413 ● Web: www.njsba.org/PI

NJSBA Supports Green-Diegnan Request on Board Member Background Checks

TRENTON, Jan. 13, 2012–The New Jersey School Boards Association today commended Assemblymen Jerry Green and Patrick Diegnan for asking the state Department of Education to extend the deadline for local board of education members and charter school trustees to complete the criminal history record checks required by recent legislation.  The assemblymen were among the sponsors of the legislation, which was enacted in May 2011.

“Any school board member who made an effort to schedule fingerprinting appointments before the Dec. 31 deadline, but who could not complete the process due to scheduling difficulties or other factors, should not be declared ineligible for office,” said Marie S. Bilik, NJSBA executive director.  “In addition, there has been a great deal of confusion about how to comply with the requirement since the law was enacted.  We believe this may also be a factor for many of the people cited in the New Jersey Department of Education’s list of ineligible board members released yesterday.

“The fact that at least 4,609 out of 4,702 local school board members complied with the act by Jan. 11 reflects the high level of responsibility among local board of education members,” she continued.  “We are also certain that many of the 93 board members cited by the state Department of Education did make arrangements for fingerprinting before the Dec. 31 deadline, but had to accept appointments for a later date.

”Up to now, only nine local school board members and three charter school trustees have been disqualified due to background checks showing previous criminal convictions  Therefore, allowing more time for the remaining board members and trustees to complete the process should not pose a serious concern.”

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The New Jersey School Boards Association is a federation of 587 local boards of education and includes 65 charter school associate members. NJSBA advocates the interests of school districts, trains local school board members, and provides resources for the advancement of public education.