(AP) - New Jersey says 183 school board membersreceived letters this past week they must vacate their posts forfailing to submit to criminal background checks required under anew state law.

But the number who end up permanently giving up their positionsmay still drop.

State Education Department spokesman Justin Barra says theletters of ineligibility will be rescinded for anyone who cleared abackground check before the letters went out. And he says memberswho clear background checks after getting the letter may still bereappointed by their county school superintendents.

In the meantime, superintendents are to begin appointingreplacement board members.

School board members and charter school trustees had to completethe reviews by Dec. 31.

More than 4,500 background checks have been completed, with only13 officials disqualified as a result.