Voters could lose their rights to vote on the Board Of Education budget if the school board elections are moved to November. A Board Of Education official tells TLS the Board this month will consider moving school elections to November, acting on the recently approved bill allowing districts to make the change.
The reason school districts would consider moving the elections – which would combine Township Committee and Presidential elections this year – would be to save taxpayer money by not holding two separate elections.
The move however could draw criticism, the board member acknowledges, because it would rob voters of their chance to vote on the budget, which would normally take place in April, together with BOE elections.
If the district’s annual school election is moved to November, then the district’s board members would be elected in November and take office at the beginning of January.
Up for re-election this year, are Yoni Silver, Meir Grunhut and Irene Miccio.
As earlier reported, if a district moves its election to November, the district would not be permitted to change its election back to April until at least four annual school elections have been held in November.
The BOE is expected to discuss the idea mid-February. TLS.
so the move will essentially COST the taxpayer, as we can no longer nix their budget forcing them to budget appropriately and cut crazy spending. So, all in all, BAD idea
It doesn’t matter if members of the public reject a school budget. When this occurs, the budget goes to the Township Committee for their recommendations. The TC generally suggests a minimal cut, that the BOE expects. The bottom line is that the cost for education is not controlled by the members of the public.
If you want control of the budget, start electing people of good will that understand the principles of sound management. Only then, will we hold the line on budget, instill best practices, and improve the quality of education for the Lakewood School District.
It would be a very good idea. That is why it will most likely prevail.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME A BUDGET WAS VOTED DOWN BY THE PEOPLE AND ANYTHING MORE THAN A FEW DOLLARS WERE TAKEN OUT OF THE BUDGET. WE MIGHT AS WELL AT LEAST SAVE A FEW DOLLARS ON COMBINING THE TWO ELECTIONS
I wish William Coyle would be on the ballot again
he problem with the budget runs deeper than just making cuts ,has more to spending in areas of education instead of transportation!
There must be something good about combining the budgets or most of the state wouldn’t be doing it. Maybe the public school system will get the amount of money they are entitled to this way.
Two years ago, newly elected board members, Seitler, fink and Zlatkine working together with Langert cut 7 million dollars from the budget a whopping TEN percent. Moving the election to November will take away that ability
combine the two elections. The town will save money, time and voting aggravation.
In reality in this town, we have NOT pass a school budget. Only 1 time about 15 – 20 years ago. But there continues to be huge cuts to the public schools.
there is a far greater chance of electing the best candidates when there is a greater voter turnout. That’s November.
Elect the right people, you’ll get a better budget; more responsible and more responsive to the needs of the children AND the taxpayers. Elect the wrong people, and you’ll find out your vote on the budget is a joke.
So the choice is clear – move it to November, put ALL the voters back in control.