Del. Bill Would Require Background Checks For School Board Candidates

Two days after Delaware’s School Board Elections, the State Senate has passed legislation that would require candidates for Boards of Education to undergo background checks that are currently required of Delaware educators. Candidates who have been convicted of crimes against children could be disqualified.

The bill (SB 78) also would require suspension of a sitting school board member who is charged with such a crime, and if convicted he or she would be removed from office.

“School boards exist to help our district and charter schools improve the lives of children and should be reflective of their communities,” Senate Education Committee Chair Laura Sturgeon, D- Greenville, Centerville Pike Creek said. “The idea that someone with a record of harming children could run for a school board seat or continue to hold that office even after being charged with such a heinous crime is unconscionable. While it is upsetting that we now live in a world where we have to even consider these possibilities, we cannot go another day knowing there is currently little that can be done once these cases come up. I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate for taking action today to close these loopholes once and for all.” 

Currently a board member implicated of wrongdoing can be censured and other board members can call for resignation, but only the governor has the power to remove such a member from office.

The legislation moves to the House of Representatives.