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Committee clears bill to require background checks for appointed school board members
Summary
House Bill 85 would clarify that appointed school board members must complete the same background check process as elected members and be deemed qualified by the commissioner of elections; education associations testified in favor during the hearing.
Representative Kim Williams introduced House Bill 85 to the House Education Committee as legislation ‘‘to clarify that appointed school board members must undergo the same background check as elected members and be deemed qualified by the commissioner of elections,’’ she said.
Supporters included Tammy Croce, executive director of the Delaware Association of School Administrators, Taylor Hawk of the Delaware State Education Association and David Toll of the Delaware School Boards Association. Croce testified, “We support this bill and we thank Representative Williams for sponsoring it and for the clarification it gives.” Hawk said DSEA ‘‘believes all school board members should be required to complete a background check.’’ Toll said DSBA supports the bill because it clarifies current practice.
Committee members had no substantive questions during the hearing. The chair called the roll and announced the chamber had received the required number of votes; ‘‘Having received the required number of votes, the motion carries,’’ the committee recorded.
Why it matters: The bill resolves an ambiguity in statute about who is responsible for completing and reviewing background checks for members appointed to fill school board vacancies. Sponsors and stakeholders said the change will align appointment procedures with those already applied to elected board members.
What’s next: The committee released HB 85 to move forward through the legislative process.
