Quality Public Education for All New Jersey Students

 

 
     Pre 2012 Announcement Archives
     2012-13 Announcement Archives
     2013-14 Announcement Archives
     2014-15 Announcement Archives
     Old Announcements prior April 2009
     ARCHIVE inc 2007 Announcements
     2009 Archives
     2008 Archives
     2007 Archives
     2006 Archives
     2010-11 Announcements
     2005 through Jan 30 2006 Announcements
4-23-14 School Budget Elections Today in Some Communities
Star Ledger School Elections in 26 Districts Today

The Record Editorial: Voting today in school elections...THE APRIL school election always has soared under the radar; now it's almost completely forgotten. There are many compelling reasons why voters should go to the polls [in those districts holding a voted today]...we urge you to do so.

 

Star Ledger - School Elections in 26 Districts Today

Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger The Star-Ledger  Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on April 23, 2014 at 7:03 AM, updated April 23, 2014 at 7:34 AM

 
 
 
 

Twenty-six school districts in New Jersey today will ask voters to elect members to the local school boards, and 25 will also seek approval of their 2014-15 school budgets.

Schools in Bergen, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic and Warren counties will hold elections and budget votes, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association.

In addition, the School District of the Chathams in Morris County is asking voters to approve an additional $460,000 for its technology program and the Greenwich township School District in Warren County is seeking approve for $1.1 million for 10 classroom teachers, a music teacher, art teacher, reading and media specialists and two guidance counselors.

Four years ago, the April election involved more than 90 percent of all districts. But a new law in 2012 allowed board elections to be held in November, and that diminished the impact of the April vote. Local districts can hold elections on five eligible dates each year.

“The local board of education represents the community in setting goals and policies that guide public schools and the programs and services provided to students,” NJSBA executive director Lawrence Feinsod explained. “The board also negotiates collective bargaining agreements with employees, and hires and evaluates the superintendent who leads the district.”

 

The Record Editorial: Voting today in school elections

April 23, 2014    Last updated: Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 1:21 AM

The Record

THE APRIL school election always has soared under the radar; now it's almost completely forgotten.

A 2012 change in state law allowed districts to move the election from April's traditional date to the general election in November. Districts certainly have incentive to make the switch. Moving the election saves money and also avoids a public vote on the school budget as long as it does not exceed the state's 2 percent cap on property tax increases. That's a big sweetener for school board members, some of whom have grown weary of dealing with rejected school budgets. There are also many more voters in the general election, as fewer than 20 percent of registered voters on average take part in April elections.

Towns with school elections today

In Bergen County, there are school elections in Cliffside Park, Emerson, Fairview, Garfield, Hackensack, Midland Park, Oakland, Palisades Park and Ramsey.

In Passaic County, there are school elections in the city of Passaic and Totowa, and in Hudson County, school votes will be held in North Bergen and Secaucus.

Critics of the switch, however, contend that school board candidates get little public attention in the fall and that they're often relegated to hard-to-find parts of the ballot. They also lament eliminating the public vote on the budget.

Nonetheless, there are more districts switching the school vote to the fall every year. Last year, there were 41 school elections in April; this year there are only 26, although 13 of them are in North Jersey. Voting takes place today.

In Bergen County, there are school elections in Cliffside Park, Emerson, Fairview, Garfield, Hackensack, Midland Park, Oakland, Palisades Park and Ramsey. In Passaic County, there are school elections in the city of Passaic and Totowa, and in Hudson County, school votes will be held in North Bergen and Secaucus.

 

School boards do important work. Among other things, they hire the superintendent, approve the school curriculum and make decisions on what extracurricular activities to expand and which ones to possibly scale back.

One of the frustrating aspects about the lack of voter interest in school elections is that it is school boards that spend the bulk of residents' property taxes, at least 60 percent of it in most towns. In a state where property taxes are among the highest in the nation, that in itself should focus attention on the individuals looking to serve on their local school boards, not to mention next year's school budget, which still must be approved by voters when the school election is in April.

There are many compelling reasons why voters should go to the polls in the 13 North Jersey districts holding school elections today. We urge all to do so.