State lawmakers don't want another felon running for school board.
EDISON -- After a felon had made it on this year's township school board ballot, lawmakers introduced bills that would require all board of education candidates to "certify under oath they have never been convicted of crimes that would disqualify them from campaigning for school boards."
File photo State Sen. Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex) and Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak (D-Middlesex) have introduced identical bills in the state Senate and state Assembly.
Currently, felons convicted of first- and second-degree crimes cannot serve in school district positions, according to state Department of Education regulations. But those felons can serve as candidates and have their names on the ballot since criminal background checks are not conducted until after the election.
If enacted, the bills would "require school board candidates to file a formal certification -- along with their nominating petition -- affirming they were never convicted of any disqualifying crimes," according to a statement from Karabinchak's office.
Further, the statement said lying or falsifying that oath would be a fourth-degree crime.
"Pat (Diegnan) and I recognize how crucial it is to preserve the sanctity of our school boards," Karabinchak said in the statement. "Men and women who seek election to these seats may become responsible for the education, safety, health and welfare of our children. Protecting our children is our top priority."
Diegnan said, in most communities in the state, candidates who win school board races "end up being responsible for multimillion-dollar, taxpayer-funded budgets."
He added, "It is imperative that these candidates are reputable people deserving of the public's trust."
Nilesh Dasondi, who, in 2009, served six months in federal prison on charges of immigration fraud and money laundering conspiracy in a more than $850,000 immigration scam, had been placed at the top of this year's township school board election ballot despite his second-degree felony conviction.
Despite many critics urging him to step aside, Dasondi had remained steadfast in his bid for one of the three open seats on the school board.
In September, however, Dasondi dropped out of the race after receiving a letter from the state Department of Education stating that if elected, he would not be eligible to serve.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.