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Albuquerque Schools HR Director: Superintendent Was Informed His Deputy Needed Background Check

Dr. Luis Valentino, Albuquerque Schools Superintendent

The Albuquerque Public Schools superintendent's claim that he was unaware a former deputy superintendent had not completed a background check is being disputed by a district official.

The Albuquerque Journal reported Sunday that an attorney for Karen Rudys, the district's head of human resources, said in a letter to APS Superintendent Dr. Luis Valentino that she raised the issue six times.

Jason Martinez resigned Thursday as deputy superintendent, citing personal commitments. But he is awaiting trial in Colorado on child sexual assault charges.

School board employees questioned how the HR department allowed someone to work without a full background check.

Rudys alleges APS leadership allowed Martinez's hiring to circumvent the usual policy.

APS spokesman Rigo Chavez said Saturday that Valentino would not comment on Rudys' letter.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.