APS' Taskforce on background checking.

From the Journal this morning, (link)

"All New Mexico school districts now screen new hires for criminal background, as required by a 1997 state law."

According to NM State Senator Joe Carraro, in an interview with KRQE's Jessica Garate (link) under "background checks",

The intention of the law was that all employees be checked for a criminal background.

Rather than answer the question;

Why is APS using legal weaselry to escape the intention of the law?

Everitt, according to Garate, refused to be interviewed.



On the issue of teacher involvement in the decision making process;

"The district "intends" to work with the local teachers union to develop the details." (emphasis added)

(The article implies I think, that this position was articulated by Andrea Trybus, APS' Director of Human Resources. I will bow to controverting fact.)

It would be consistent with previous statements I have heard from her, indicating that the involvement of teachers in the decisions that affect them will always be the district's "intention". And nothing more, unfortunately.

Never one to make waves, local Union President Ellen Bernstein is apparently content to wait and see what Trybus will determine in the best interests of teachers, students, and administrators.

The task force recommends the board adopt a new policy mandating that employees arrested of any ... "offense involving moral turpitude" report to his or her supervisor within three days. Moral turpitude would include ... dishonesty (emphasis added) .

So what happens with an openly dishonest superintendent, that the DA not only will not arrest; but will not even investigate?

She simply continues along on her merry way
just like nothing happened; that's what.