Dear Editor:
The Secaucus Board of Education is considering moving the board elections from April to November. By moving the election to November, the board avoids a vote on the school budget as long as the proposed increase falls under the two percent cap. Thus, the citizens of the town lose their right to question the budget with their vote.
I believe that this move to change the elections from April to November warrants closer analysis so that the community can understand its results:
1) If the Board of Education votes to move the election to November, the community must wait 4 years before changing the election back to April.
2) What is the rush? It is January and the election is in April. Why wasn’t this issue brought up for public discussion six to eight months ago? The board can certainly vote the change on its own, but it also has the option of adding it on as a referendum in April so that the people can decide if they want to give up their right to vote on the school budget. Residents support their local schools and should have a say on how the money is being spent. Remember, Board of Education members are elected to set policy for the school district, not to take away someone else’s right to vote.
3) While it is true that more people go to the polls in November than in April, we are not sure that more people will actually vote on the school board portion of the ballot. With more items to vote for on the November ballot (e.g., candidates for board seats and partisan candidates for municipal, county, state and federal offices, along with public questions), the board election could be lost or overlooked by the voters in both areas of interest and the actual casting of their vote.
4) School board elections could become partisan.
5) Even though it is true that moving the election would save money, that amount is a small percentage of the overall budget. There is no guarantee or proof this savings will go back into the classroom. Ultimately, the question is: What is your right to vote worth???
Open and free elections are a fundamental building block of our democracy. School boards are the closest elected representatives to the people in any community. We, as a community, constantly strive to get more parents and residents involved in the education system. So why would the school board want to infringe on the community’s desire to have input into the budget process by denying the people the right to vote on the budget itself. When you lose your right to vote under any circumstances, you lose some degree of freedom.
I encourage residents to attend the Secaucus Board of Education meeting on Thursday, January 22, at Huber Street School to voice your concern.
Yours truly,
Louis Giele