By Eileen Oldfield Staff Writer
School board hopefuls have until Feb. 25 to file
Though approximately six people picked up Board of Education member information packets and petition information from the Board of Education offices, getting the information doesn’t indicate whether people will actually run for this year’s three open seats, Business Administrator and Board Secretary Richard Reilly said.
”We’ve had people come for applications, but it doesn’t mean that they will file for a seat,” said Mr. Reilly. “Some people pick up applications to get the information, but decide not to run.”
This year, three three-year seats, currently filled by incumbents Michael Impellizeri, George Jakelsky and Frank Jurewicz, will be open in April’s elections.
Mr. Reilly did not comment on whether the incumbent members would run for re-election.
Mr. Reilly said potential candidates could get an idea of board members’ duties by coming to the board meetings.
”Board members are responsible for the policy-making of the district,” said Mr. Reilly. “The administration is hired to run the district, the board creates the policies for governing the district.”
Board members are also responsible for evaluating the district superintendent annually, and determining how the district met its goals and objectives.
Residents interested in a Board of Education seat must file their election petition by Feb. 25, in the Board of Education office. Candidates must be able to read and write, must be a United States citizen, must be a resident for at least one year, must be a registered voter, and must have no contracts with or legal claims against the Board of Education.
A candidate must be nominated by petition, and collect 12 signatures from district voters to be considered for election. Candidates that decide to withdraw their petition must send a written withdrawal notice to the board office by Feb. 29.
As candidates campaign for the seats, they must appoint a campaign treasurer who records and files campaign contributions with the Election Law Enforcement Commission throughout the campaign.
Residents will vote to fill three seats in this year’s April 15 election. New board members are sworn in and begin their terms at the district’s April 22 reorganization meeting.
