JAMESBURG: School board moves elections

David Kilby, Managing Editor
   JAMESBURG — The Jamesburg Board of Education voted at its meeting Jan. 26 to move its school district elections to November.
   Instead of the third Tuesday in April, its election will be the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, the date of the general election.
   In moving its elections, the district will save about $7,500 to $8,500.
   As part of the legislation allowing the district to move its elections to November, the public no longer will have a vote on the budget unless the budget exceeds the 2 percent cap, and the district can’t change back to April elections for at least four years.
   If the board proposes to exceed the 2 percent cap, an additional referendum must be presented to voters as a separate question in the General Election.
   To change the election date, a resolution by the district or the municipality governing the district was required.
   Through the resolution read by Salvatore Brucato, board vice president, the board stated it believes the tax levy cap sufficiently safeguards the financial interest of Jamesburg taxpayers. School officials also believe the county’s review of the proposed school budget further safeguards taxpayers.
   Now that the district vote is in November, the Board of Education’s reorganization meeting will be the first week in January like the Borough Council’s.
   ”Usually people coming out to vote have no idea how the budget process works, and they just vote it down for the sake of voting it down,” said Patrice Faraone, board member.
   The board believes more citizens will participate in the selection of school board members at the General Election than the third Tuesday of April, and this higher level of participation will foster positive interest in Jamesburg schools, the resolution states.
   Board members and candidates still are committed to nonpartisan status as they campaign for the General Election. Jamesburg’s board members believe moving the elections to November will not compromise the nonpartisan principles they hold to as board members, says the resolution.
   Board president Darren Larsenjwas the only board member who voted no on changing the election.
   ”I have concerns about the short amount of time the state has given us to contemplate and discuss the new law,” he said. “I also have concerns that the elections will become partisan when held during a general election. Finally, I am concerned that the public will not be allowed to vote on the budget unless it exceeds the 2 percent cap unless a cap waiver is granted.”