Senate Bill 157 / Protecting Our Kids

Today I was asked to support Senate Bill 157:

-This bill provides that any elected person or appointed to any board of education would be disqualified from service on the board because of a current or past conviction for any of the crimes that, under existing law, disqualify an individual from holding employment in a public school. It provides that the oath of office taken by a member of a board of education prior to assuming office will contain a specific declaration that the member is not disqualified from holding that office due to conviction of one of those crimes of offenses. A member who falsely swears or affirms that he is not disqualified due to a conviction would be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

-In addition, the bill requires each member of a board of education, within 30 days of election or appointment to that board, to undergo a criminal history background investigation for the purpose of ensuring that the member is not disqualified from membership due to a conviction of a crime or offense. The State Bureau of Identification will immediately inform the Commissioner of Education of any new charges filed against any member who has previously undergone a background investigation. The cost of the background investigation will be the responsibility of the school board member, but unexpended campaign funds may be used for this purpose. A board member holding office on the bill’s effective date must undergo a background investigation within 30 days.

-Under existing law, a candidate for election to a board of education, when filing a nominating petition, must certify that the candidate is legally qualified to hold that office. Making a false statement made in connection with a nominating petition is a crime of the fourth degree.

I would like feedback from the public on this issue; I want to see how you all feel regarding such a statute. Recently, a school board employee was let go very quietly because a criminal background check was not performed until after he was hired.

In addition, I am researching the policy on the books regarding the criteria for security at the high school for searching students, female students in particular. It is my understanding that Mapp and School Board member Chris Estevez are trying to cover up such activities at the high school, situations where student’s rights are being violated.