School board candidate filing deadline is just days away

EDITORIAL

By Ruth Luse
    Filing for candidacy for this year’s Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education election was probably the last thing on anyone’s mind during the President’s Day weekend blizzard — but nevertheless, time is running out.
   The deadline is 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24.
   As of Wednesday, three people — Lisa Marin Main (incumbent), Linda Mitchell and Mary Ellen Curtain — had filed petitions, indicating their intentions to seek the two open Hopewell Township seats (three-year terms).
   Other Hopewell Township residents interested in entering the Hopewell Township school board race still have time, but they must do the required paperwork by Monday.
   No Pennington resident had filed a petition to seek the one open Pennington seat. Currently Pennington has two members whose terms expire this year. One is David Goldschmidt. The other is Kevin Doran, who was appointed only recently to fill the vacancy created by Ari Gabinet’s resignation. He will serve until the April 22 reorganization meeting only. If he, Dr. Goldschmidt or other individuals want to seek the one open seat (three-year term) in the April 15 election, they will have to file petitions by Monday.
   Pennington, as reported often during the past year, has lost one of its two seats to Hopewell Township, as a result of 2000 Census counts. When the school board reorganizes on April 22 — after the April 15 election — that loss will be official.
   Information for anyone interested in running for the two Hopewell Township seats and the one Pennington Borough seat and about school board candidacy can be obtained by calling 737-4000, the school district’s new phone number. The caller will be able to connect with the business office.
   The law requires school board candidates to be 18 or older, registered to vote in Hopewell Township or Pennington (whichever applies), and a resident of the township or borough (whichever applies) for at least one year. Candidates also must be able to read and write and not be directly or indirectly involved in any contract with the school board or have a claim against the school board.
   This year, only voters in Hopewell Township and Pennington will pick school board members. Hopewell Borough voters will join them in voting on the 2003-2004 school budget, preparation of which is currently under way.