BIPARTISAN BILL TO MOVE SCHOOL ELECTIONS TO NOVEMBER INTRODUCED IN ASSEMBLY

BIPARTISAN BILL TO MOVE SCHOOL ELECTIONS
TO NOVEMBER INTRODUCED IN ASSEMBLY
Speaker Aims for June Vote on Measure          

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. today formally introduced legislation first proposed last month to eliminate the state's April school elections and to move school board member elections to the November ballot.

The bipartisan measure also is sponsored by Assemblymen David Wolfe (R-Ocean/Monmouth), Jerry Green (D-Union), and Wayne DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex).

"New Jersey can no longer tolerate a system that embraces woeful turnout and garners a collective yawn from the public," said Roberts (D-Camden). "School board members should stand for election in November, in real election contests with real results."

Speaker Roberts ordered the bill be numbered A-15 in recognition that, on average, only 15 percent of voters show up at the polls for the April school elections.

"Holding school elections in November provides for greater accountability while reducing unnecessary costs," said Wolfe. "This is a commonsense solution that will do away with the added expense of holding multiple elections, and at the same time, by holding the election at a time of greater voter turnout, will ensure that a larger segment of the public has a voice in the outcome of these contests."

 Under the measure, school board candidates would be placed on the November General Election ballot. Votes on school budgets would be eliminated, except in cases where a proposed budget exceeds statutory spending or tax levy limits.

"Democrats and Republicans agree that April's school elections have failed to spark significant public participation," said Green. "Higher voter turnouts from a November school election will give a community a real say in how local schools are operated."

"April's school elections have become a charade," said DeAngelo, a resident of Hamilton Township where the district budget was voted-down, but the election was overturned by state education officials. "Ultimate fiscal responsibility and accountability should rest with a school board elected in November by a majority of voters."

The bill will be referred to the Assembly Education Committee.

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