FRANKLIN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
101 W. NASH STREET
P.O. BOX 909
LOUISBURG, NORTH CAROLINA 27549
(919) 496-1469
www.FranklinNCGOP.com



Democratic state Sen. Doug Berger

Superintendent Tells Berger No to Criminals Teaching in Classrooms

It doesn't get anymore bizarre than this. Democratic state Sen. Doug Berger has introduced legislation that would expunge criminal records of 16- and 17-year-olds. In fact, Berger wants these fine people to be able to teach in classrooms. Franklin County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bert L'Homme doesn't see eye to eye with Berger as shown in the article below.

Excerpt from article in Sept. 26, 2007 The Franklin Times:

At the end of the presentation, Berger asked the board if it had supported the state School Board Association’s opposition to a bill that he sponsored and would have allowed criminal records of 16- and 17-year-olds to be expunged.

Berger said the teens who are strapped with these charges so young in life deserve second chances.

L’Homme said the school system would not want to and does not hire a teacher with a criminal record.

Currently records of 15-year-olds and younger are sealed in North Carolina.

Berger said if 16- and 17-year-olds continue to be considered adults in North Carolina relative to criminal record then “we are relegating them to poverty for the rest of their lives.”

“There are other jobs (other than teaching),” L’Homme said.

“We are relegating them out of public schools,” Berger responded.

“I believe we are protecting our children,” L’Homme said, adding that it is appropriate to deal with a 16-year-old drug dealer as an adult who is making a decision as an adult to sell drugs.

“I have a lot of ministers in this area who want to give them a second chance,” Berger said.

“They do deserve a second chance,” L’Homme said, “just not teaching our children.”