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The Star-Ledger
Safeguard
schoolchildren
EDITORIAL, nj.com on
the Web, February 7, 2008
New Jersey has made significant
strides in protecting kids while they're at school, but more can be done.
Passage of legislation requiring every current school employee to undergo a
criminal background check would go a long way toward ensuring children's safety.
A February 2003 law requires that all new school hires undergo criminal
background checks. It also authorizes the State Police to keep school
employees' fingerprints on file so if they are subsequently arrested, school
authorities can be alerted.
Thousands of teachers and other school employees who were hired before the
tougher law took effect have not been fingerprinted. Of the few who were,
their fingerprints may not have been retained.
A bill sponsored by Sen. Loretta Weinberg, a Democrat from Bergen County,
requiring current school employees to be fingerprinted and to undergo criminal
background checks stalled, in part because the New Jersey Education Association
questioned its fairness and the costs. A background check costs $80.
Previous legislation did not address how the huge task of vetting existing
employees would be carried out or how to pay the cost. These issues should
be resolved so that the bill can go forward.
The issue should be revived. Protecting children has to be part of the
core mission of every district. Anyone found guilty of a serious offense
should not be working for a school district. Making sure every school
employee meets that standard is an appropriate role for government
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