The Star-Ledger is reporting that 186 school board members must step down immediately for failure to submit to a background check as required under new legislation championed by Assemblyman Jerry Green. The newspaper also has taken an editorial stand against the ouster.
In Plainfield, board member Rasheed Abdul-Haqq has already been forced out by the legislation due to a long-ago drug offense and the board is seeking an appointee to serve until the April 17 school board election. However, there is some confusion over who must approve the appointment, the board or state officials.
The 186 board members are those remaining after numerous reminders to register for the required background check. All their boards will now be in the position of seeking an nterim appointee. Anyone wishing to run in the April 17 school board election must file by Feb. 27.
The measure has both fans and detractors. Locally, even though Abdul-Haqq has spent .most of his adult life as a community activist and education advocate, some see his resignation as the price to be paid for his past actions, while others call it harsh in his case.
All new school board members will be subject to the background check and may have to bear the cost, unless the school board decides to pay. Charter school trustees must also comply with the new law.
--Bernice
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Let's thank Jerry for taking us to the cleaners again. Thanks Jerry!
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