NO VOTE, NO VOICE—WHY VOTING IS CRITICAL

            Everyone knows that they should vote, but many people do not bother to cast ballots in national elections, let alone local contests.  The following are several reasons why it’s important for everyone to get out and vote in the School Budget/School Board election on April 17.

• Making Our Voice Heard: During New Jersey’s recent Special Legislative Session, many legislators, including members of the leadership, made public statements about the historically low voter turnout in School Budget/School Board elections.  These lawmakers interpret the low turnout to mean that people feel completely disenchanted or disengaged from their local schools.  Some say that this alleged disenchantment/disengagement means that local people would prefer regionalized or state controlled schools to the present system of local control and local accountability.  Voter turnout numbers speak louder than words.  By casting your vote and encouraging friends and neighbors to do the same, you are telling Trenton that you do care.  This is the simplest and most important message that we can send to our legislators.
• Directing the way money is spent: Since local property taxes pay for over ninety-five percent of the cost of educating our children, the people who pay those taxes have a vital role to play in determining how that money is spent.  Voting in School Budget/School Board elections makes a statement that reaffirms our control over our money and our children’s education.
• Choosing the people who will shape educational policy: Local elected officials provide local accountability.  When we cast our votes, we choose those who we feel are best qualified to make and monitor the policies that affect our children.  We choose those who are most likely to answer our e-mails and phone calls, pay attention to our issues and work hard for the students, parents and the taxpayers of Glen Ridge.  We also let our elected state officials know that we choose not to hand over accountability to county or state-level political appointees.

In these difficult times, not voting is not an option for people who care about out schools, our communities and our state.  Voting takes only a few minutes.  Please encourage your friends and neighbors to help make our collective voice as loud as possible by voting in the School Budget/School Board election on April 17, 2007.

(Submitted by GSCS Contributing Writer, Betsy Ginsburg, Parent and Glen Ridge School Board President)