N.J. considers recruiting vets for school security jobs

A New Jersey lawmaker wants to give preference to hiring military veterans for school security positions.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jim Beach would create a three-year pilot program in 12 school districts to recruit veterans to handle school safety and security needs.

“The training that they go through, the discipline that they have, it’s a natural,” said Beach, D-Camden. “It’s like veterans’ preference for state police or police forces or fire departments.”

Data on school violence, vandalism, and bullying would be considered in determining the districts selected for the pilot program.

And it would be up to each school district to determine whether the security guards are armed.

A screening process for applicants would detect veterans who might be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or other potential problems, Beach said.