Secaucus is considering whether to move its school board elections from April to November, as a new state law allows each district to make the decision. Holding the elections in November might increase voter turnout (where typically only 12 percent of registered voters cast ballots), but some residents and school board members would like to keep the election in April.
Gov. Christopher Christie signed legislation into law on Jan. 17. The change can happen either by a school board resolution, a council resolution, or by asking for voters’ approval via referendum.
Supporters of the legislation said the move to November would increase voter turnout and save districts money. Opponents of the new law fear elections will become too political if combined with the general November election.
This April, the terms are up for three out of the nine school board members.
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“Board elections should be geared towards the children and politics should be kept out of it,” said Mayor Michael Gonnelli, who supports keeping the election in April.
Lisa Snedeker, a board trustee, said that it makes a difference to her that voters who come out in April care about education.
“I’m on the fence,” said Dora Marra, a trustee. She said elections can get too political if held in November but that voter turnout is low in April.
“Typically a board candidate wins with 1,100 votes,” said Gonnelli. “We get 6,000 to 7,000 people [that vote] during a general election.”
Voting on the budget
If a school board moves its election to November, the district’s budget no longer requires voter approval unless the budget has a tax increase of over 2 percent. Last April, voters rejected the school budget during the election, meaning it went back to the school board and to the City Council for more cuts.
Campaigning begins
This April, the terms are up for three out of the nine board members: Tom Troyer, Charles Krajewski, and Gary Riebesell. Each member serves a three-year term.
So far, Troyer has said he will run again.
Local teachers’ union president Bob Anderson announced his candidacy at the Jan. 19 board meeting.
“I would like everyone to know that this is the last board meeting I attend as SEA [Secaucus Education Association] president. I will be resigning in the near time provided the board election is in April. I will be a candidate for the BOE,” he said.
Troyer spoke during the meeting about an issue that has divided the board.
“I choose to support Superintendent [Cynthia] Randina and I plan to detail why I am supporting her,” he said.
Adriana Rambay Fernández may be reached at afernandez@hudsonreporter.com.