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August 29, 2007
School Does the Right Thing By Hiring Someone with a Previous Conviction
Daily Hampshire Gazette, Northampton, MA
Sadiq has earned the right to work as school counselor
To the editor:
Your Aug. 18 front-page headline "Most of ARMS hiring committee didn't know of counselor's criminal history" creates a mistaken impression that something was amiss in what the hiring committee was told.
In fact, if one reads on Superintendent Jere Hochman states that, as a matter of routine, Criminal Offender Record information (CORI) checks are not conducted until after a candidate has been offered a position. This is completely within the guidelines of the Department of Education.
The ARMS hiring policy is also reflected in the Public Safety Act of 2007-2008 which would strengthen anti-discrimination protections for people with criminal records. The bill supported by our Hampshire County legislators, would make it illegal to refuse a person a job simply because he or she has a CORI.
I concur with Alberto Morales that everyone deserves a second chance, but unlike him I believe that the second chance should include the opportunity for meaningful work based on the experience and credentials of the job seeker. Talib Sadiq's education and training qualify him for the position for which he was hired. I hope that if the Gazette continues to cover this story, the thoughts include those of some of the many people who support the decision of the Amherst Regional Middle School and the School Committee. They have done the right thing in hiring Mr. Sadiq.
Lois Ahrens
Northampton
Posted by lois at August 29, 2007 04:48 PM