HOBOKEN – Voters will take to the polls today, April 27, to select three Board of Education members in Hoboken.
The race has turned into a slate versus slate battle in addition to one independent candidate.
Carmelo Garcia, and Frances Rhodes-Kearns (both incumbents) have teamed up with challenger Peter Biancamano to form the slate “Independents for Education.” According to their Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) filings from April 19, the slate has spent $1,705 and received $5,140 in contributions.
The group of Jean Marie Mitchell (incumbent), Steve Feinstein, and Clifford Godfrey is running under the “Kids First” slate, and have received the backing of Mayor Dawn Zimmer. According to their 11-day pre-election filings, they have spent $4,474.69, and have received $5,642.50 in contributions.
Patricia Waiters, who is not affiliated with any slate, has not filed any ELEC statements as of Election Day. She is also running for City Council.
On the ballot is also the tax levy for the school’s $59.8 million budget. The tax levy this year is approximately $36.5 million. Per state law, this is the lowest possible budget, according to the Board Secretary Robert Davis. The state only permits school budgets to be cut by a certain amount, and establishes a “minimum tax levy.” Even if the budget is voted down on the ballot on April 27, the state will not allow the budget to be cut any further.
The school board positions are unpaid, and the terms up for grabs are for three years.
For a complete list of polling places, click HERE.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on April 27. Stay tuned to HudsonReporter.com for results. – Ray Smith