Governor orders review of NM school districts’ hiring

Gov. Susana Martinez has ordered an immediate review of whether New Mexico school districts are conducting timely criminal background checks of new employees in light of revelations that a high-level Albuquerque district administrator was hired despite facing child sex abuse charges in Colorado.

Martinez has tasked compliance investigators from the state education and public safety departments with launching the across-the-board review of personnel policies. She says the agencies will make sure all districts and charter schools are complying with state law.

Martinez says they also will release a report on their findings once the review is complete.

Jason Martinez resigned abruptly last week from his position as deputy superintendent for Albuquerque Public Schools before reports surfaced of the child sexual assault charges and a domestic violence accusation he is facing in Colorado.