A new bill signed by Gov. Chris Christie yesterday may change the way you vote in school board elections for the next four years. Christie approved of a bill that will give school districts the option of moving their board of education elections to be held at the same time as the November general elections.
Additionally, the bill will allow all school budgets that fall within the 2 percent cap to be passed automatically, with no approval needed by township voters. A school board would have to present a “second question” for voter approval if the budget is proposed to exceed the 2 percent cap.
“After decades in Trenton of fruitlessly discussing the idea of moving school district elections to November, leaders in this state today have again demonstrated that we can get things done for the people of New Jersey when we work together,” Christie said. “This bipartisan tool kit bill finally gives real pathways for school boards or voters to move district elections to November, providing the bright prospect for both local government savings and increased voter participation in the process. With this legislation now law, I urge school board members and voters in every one of our districts to act as quickly as possible to take hold of these benefits.”
A school board would have to approve of a move through a resolution, according to state representatives.
Business Administrator for the Moorestown Township Public School District Lynn Shugars said the district spends about $20,000 a year hosting the school board elections.
If moved to November, these costs would be shared across the state, county, municipality, and school district as all the elections would be held on the same day.
