May 21, 2009 - 2:46pm
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DOHERTY INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO CREATE ELECTED POSITIONS ON TECH SCHOOL BOARDS

DOHERTY INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO CREATE ELECTED POSITIONS ON TECH SCHOOL BOARDS

Assemblyman Michael Doherty today introduced legislation, A-4007, which, when enacted, would change the make-up of current freeholder-appointed county technical school boards to include two at-large members who would be elected at the annual school board elections that are currently held.

Since the two at-large members would be placed on the ballot during annual school board elections, no additional costs to taxpayers would be incurred.

“This bill will provide an avenue of participation for the school community to provide input on important decision-making processes,” said Doherty, R-Warren and Hunterdon. “Participation of elected representatives reflects the fundamental foundations of democracy that our nation is founded upon and should be policy whenever possible.”

Doherty introduced the legislation in response to public and student outcry following the dismissal of three popular Warren County Technical School teachers by the school board.

“As lawmakers, our responsibility is to ensure that our children receive the best education possible. Since Vo-Tech school boards set policy that affects taxpayers and students alike, it’s imperative that we have a mechanism in place that will enable the placement of elected individuals to provide insight and who will govern based upon the input of the voters who elected them instead of being based upon the politics of the Freeholder Board.”

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SCMYSAK can be reached via email at smysak@njleg.org.
Related topics: M. Doherty