TRENTON, July 15, 2014—The president of the New Jersey School Boards Association today reminded citizens that the deadline for filing for board of education candidacy in this year’s November General Election is 4 p.m., Monday, July 28.
More than 4,800 New Jerseyans are currently helping to lead their communities’ schools, and represent the interests of children and taxpayers, by serving as Board of Education members. In 514 public school districts throughout the state, residents now have the opportunity to join them—by seeking office in school board elections.
“Serving on a school board is an unpaid position, but an important one,” said John Bulina, NJSBA president. “New Jersey’s 4,800 board members are the largest group of elected officials in the state, responsible for decisions affecting the operation of more than 2,400 public schools and the education of over 1.37 million children.”
School board membership is non-partisan. State law requires that all school-board nominating petitions for the November 4 election be delivered to the appropriate county clerk by4 p.m. on Monday, July 28, 2014. While in previous years, all school board elections were held separately, in April, recent state law allows communities to conduct elections for school board seats during the November General Elections. Most New Jersey school boards have opted for the November election date.
“Education is vital to the quality of life in New Jersey; and local school boards have a direct impact on educational quality,” explained Bulina. “However, school board membership is not easy, and the job is not for everyone. The issues facing our public schools require a strong commitment of time and energy by all who are elected to their local school boards.
“If you find satisfaction in serving your community, and have a sincere interest in education and the well-being of your community’s children, I urge you to consider running for school board office,” he said.
Information about school board candidacy—including a county-by-county listing of information, important dates in the school election process, and online video briefings explain what candidates can expect if elected to the school board—is available at staging.njsba.org/candidacy.
Individuals elected to their school boards in November will begin service in January.