Sunday, February 26, 2012

MANY SCHOOL BOARDS MOVING TO NOVEMBER ELECTIONS - C'MON SO-M

Star-Ledger reports that dozens of school boards are moving to November elections while our board nixes the idea despite a strong push from Maplewood's Township Committee:


More than 400 school districts have moved their elections from April to November — one of the most sweeping changes to scholastic politics in state history as most residents will no longer vote on their districts’ budgets.
Not that many residents have taken advantage of the opportunity to vote on school budgets. Since 1984, there has been only one year in which more than 20 percent of registered voters cast ballots. That was 2010, when Gov. Chris Christie lobbied voters to reject their districts’ budgets in protest of ever-rising property taxes.
By contrast, 26 percent of registered voters cast ballots in the general election this past in November, and that was the lowest ever recorded. This year, because of the presidential race, the turnout is expected to be significantly higher.

Come on school board folks and give up your control that keeps voters away and costs more money. No excuses

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