Howell Board Members Pass Background Checks

With the state of New Jersey mandating all board of education members go through background checks in order to hold their seats, the members of the local board completed the process with no reported problems. 

A state law, unique to New Jersey required the background checks. The deadline to complete the process was Dec. 31, and the state Department of Education said the names of the board members who didn’t comply could be released by today.

Superintendent Enid Golden said all the members of the local board "have had their background check and passed with flying colors."

However, NJ.com reported that more than 350 school board members statewide failed to complete a criminal background check.

Legislation passed last year states that board members who did not complete the criminal background checks by Dec. 31, would be required to resign or face criminal charges.

The background check legislation is intended to hold school board members to the same standards as teachers working in the district, its supporters say. Yet opponents said the law will also find decades old, minor offenses, and disqualify those school board members.

Members of the Howell board include Board President Tim O'Brien, Board Vice President Suzanne M. Brennan, Mary Cerretani, Patrick Dowling, Stephen M. Levine, Albert Miller, Joseph Moscato Jr. Jeanette Smith and John Van Noy. 

The next meeting of the Board of Education is set for 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11 in the cafetorium of .