Board discusses background
checks for school volunteers
MONROE — The Board of Education is considering a policy to require background checks and fingerprinting for all future student teachers and volunteers who work in the schools.
At the June 11 meeting, board member Marvin Braverman said he thought the board should consider such checks for anyone who comes into the schools regularly and has contact with the students.
Resident and former school board candidate Tracey Spennato asked how board members would define volunteers.
"You have room moms for every class," she said. "Are you considering fingerprinting all those moms?"
Board member Carol Haring expressed the concern that fingerprinting "gets kind of expensive" and asked who would be paying for it.
A few board members mentioned that other schools require an individual seeking a paid position to cover the cost of fingerprinting, but concluded that information regarding non-pay positions must be gathered from districts before any requirements can be put into place.
While the board agreed to further research the idea, Superintendent of Schools Ralph Ferrie noted that many school districts already have such mandates in place.
"There are a lot of models to look at for guidance," he noted.
Several people expressed a concern that if the background checks and fingerprinting became a requirement, the school district could see a decline in student teachers and volunteers.
"The safety of our students is number one, but if volunteers have to pay to come in, some will not come," board President Joseph Homoki said.
New Jersey state statute only requires those who are employed by the schools to have background checks.
Sharon Vogel, the administrative assistant to the superintendent, said that every person employed by the school district is fingerprinted.
"You can’t get through the door without it," she said.
Homoki expected that the board would have further research done on the matter, and that it may be discussed at a meeting scheduled for last night.
"It’s premature to make any decisions," he said last week.