Changes Could Come to School Board Elections After State Legislature Approves Bill
The new measure needs to be signed in effect by Gov. Chris Christie.
A new bill was passed in New Jersey's state senate on Monday that would give local school boards the authority to move the annual board of education elections from April to November as well as the option of eliminating the public vote on the school budget if it's at or below the state's two-percent levy cap.
The bill was introduced in early December 2011 and passed by both houses. Now, Gov. Chris Christie has to sign the bill by Jan. 17 for it to go into effect.
Local boards have three ways of implementing the new bill, if they so choose. A local school board or a local municipality can introduce a resolution, or the measure can be decided by a public referendum.
Besides moving the elections to November—which, proponents say, will increase voter participation—it would eliminate a vote on the school budget if it's at the 2 percent cap. In last year's budget, the school board's tax levy was at its minimum and couldn't be lowered, rendering the vote on the budget unnecessary. (The budget was approved by the public.)
Municipalities are already allowed to move city council elections to November. In July, the Hoboken city council approved the move, but in September the measure was overturned, keeping the council elections in May.
Hobbs
3:39 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
By moving the elections to November when there is a larger turn out it would make it more difficult for the Old Guard political machines to win as their blocks of votes is limited and their vote by mail strategy is diluted in a larger voter turn out.
If Maureen Sulivan is precluded from voting due to her failure to follow state regulations in a timely manner it will make passage of the November Election Day vote much more likely.
ThisMeansWar
3:44 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Oh goody, more spin coming my way. Can't wait to hear why school board elections averaging a 10% turnout can't be moved to Nov. Predictions:
1) Too much noise on the ballot. That Belfiore fave.
2) Our seniors would have to go out in the dark (because they can't vote during the day?) A Beth winner.
3) Hoboken is different. Castellano - suitable to explain any mayhem.
RedHaven
5:01 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
You forgot "they're extending their own terms" and "let the people decide." We're going to have a field day with this - we can even reuse our old lit and have Jamie Cryan lead the charge again. We kicked Zimmer's butt with our mighty petition drive - I love when those zimmertinis give us a chance to flex our paid for muscle!! My not paid for friendship husband needs more work and this is just the thing to get him up and blogging instead of bugging me and our baby!
ThisMeansWar
5:14 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
They're extending their own jobs is a little weak with no pay at stake. But they're handing out plum uncompensated 4 hour classroom observations to people who aren't in any competition to be permitted the 4 hours observation. So there's that. Corruption as far as the eye can see.
RedHaven
5:26 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
What does pay have to do with it - the zombies don't want pay that's why they all pay zimmer for volunteer board seats. They're after the glory - they love being bashed at meetings and online - these people are power mad psychos who will stop at nothing to prolong their terms. Let the people decide!!!!!
Journey
9:20 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
I've lost my link to the law. Anyone else have it?
Journey
9:32 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
Found it and some other documents.
Districts with April Election Dates
25. If your district maintains an April election date, could a “second
question” (a cap over-ride referendum) still be on the
April ballot? Yes, if approved by the executive county superintendent.
26. Will there be any change in election costs for districts which
maintain an April election? There could be an increase in costs
for districts that continue with an April election, as a result of
fewer school districts sharing in the overall fixed costs of the
county conducting the election.
27. When do candidates for school board office have to file their
nominating petitions? This year (2012 election), school board
candidates in the April 17 school election must file their petitions
by Feb. 27, 2012. (http://www.njsba.org/PI/specproj/faq-novelections.pdf?w=413)