TRENTON — School board members would be disqualified from serving if they’ve been convicted of serious crimes if a bill that passed the Assembly today becomes law. The bill requires those elected to the Board of Education to submit to a criminal background check within 30 days of election or appointment, and would give current school board members 30...
A March 2010 file photo of the Assembly Chamber.TRENTON — School board members would be disqualified from serving if they’ve been convicted of serious crimes if a bill that passed the Assembly today becomes law.
The bill requires those elected to the Board of Education to submit to a criminal background check within 30 days of election or appointment, and would give current school board members 30 days to have one. They would be held to the same standards required of public school employees.
It passed the lower house unanimously. The Senate has not yet acted on it.
Under the current version of the bill, prospective and current school board members would have to pay for the background checks out of their own pockets or with campaign funds. The New Jersey School Boards Association, which supports most parts of the bill, wants it amended so school districts have the option of paying for the criminal background check.