BOE Avoids Background-Check Trouble

For once, members are not in trouble with the state.

There will be no local names represented when a Department of Education list of New Jersey school board members not in compliance with a state law mandating background checks appears later this week. According to Joan Benos, assistant to the superintendent, all of Parsippany's members completed their background-check requirements before the Dec. 31 deadline.

A recent article in the Asbury Park Press reported that more than 350 school board members across the state are in violation of the law and could lose their jobs or face jail time.

The law, passed in 2011, disqualifies board members convicted of certain crimes from serving. New teachers are also asked to comply with a background check and can be disqualified from positions based on convictions of certain crimes.

Board of Education member Deborah Orme complied with the requirement willingly, but she wasn't pleased about what she sees as the statute's singular focus on school boards.

"The time has come for our legislators on both the state and federal levels to start living by the laws that they so readily impose on others. I also feel that if our legislators are moved to enact laws she told Patch. "I am in absolute favor of holding elected officials to the highest standards, but those standards should be applied to all those elected and not just a select few."

Orme also said she believes the penalties are inconsistent.

"If a member of our state assembly breaks a law and then refuses to step down," she wondered, "is he or she charged with a fourth-degree criminal offense? If so, then the same should apply here and if not, then why should BOE members be subject to stricter consequence then our assembly? ... This law should apply to all or to none."

At the same time, she said that because the law exists as is, New Jersey BOE members have two choices.

"Get the criminal background check as required by law or step down."

Local members may consider the news that they aren't on the state's "naughty list" this time welcome relief—or an unexpected change.  Parsippany's Board of Education has been threatened constantly with the loss of state school aid by the Department of Education and County Executive Kathleen Serafino over matters involving the .