Pubdate: Fri, 04 Jul 2014
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Robert Barron
Page: A5

INPUT ON CRIMINAL CHECKS FOR TRUSTEES IS SOUGHT

The public is being asked to provide input on whether mandatory 
criminal record checks for elected trustees in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith 
school district should be implemented.

The board decided in a close 5-4 vote last week to proceed with the 
process and district spokeswoman Donna Reimer said the public will 
have 30 days to give input into the issue, although she couldn't say 
whether the 30 day period would begin this summer, or wait until the fall.

Trustee Jamie Brennan was one of the four who opposed the motion, 
calling it "intrusive and unnecessary."

"If someone running for the school board has a criminal record, they 
should be asked about it during the campaign," he said.

"Trustees don't work directly with students, so I feel this motion is 
unnecessary."

Trustee Donna Allen introduced the original motion at a board meeting 
last month.

Allen delayed taking her oath of office for several weeks after she 
was re-elected in the last elections in 2011 because she didn't think 
new trustee Bill Bard should be allowed to serve because of his 2006 
conviction for the cultivation of marijuana.

He pleaded guilty and served a one-year conditional sentence.

Allen said at the time that the motion was not directed at any 
particular person and was intended to bring the school board to the 
same standards as other organizations that deal with children. But 
Bard said he saw it as a "personal vendetta."

Many provinces, including B.C., require applicants for positions in 
certain professions to undergo criminal record checks to ensure 
public safety, but the policy doesn't extend to those seeking political office.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom