By Amber Cox, Special Writer
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP As of Feb. 7, 221 of the state’s 538 school districts that hold budget elections have opted to switch the date from April to November, including the Bordentown Regional School District.
On Feb. 1, the school board voted 7-2 to move its elections.
Under legislation signed by Gov. Chris Christie on Jan. 17, if the election is moved to the general election in November, voters no longer vote on the school budget as long as it is within the 2 percent cap. Voters still will vote on school board members.
Before the vote was taken resident Steve Herberling told the board that when he originally heard the idea of the new legislation he didn’t think it was a good idea, but that his view later changed.
”When I really started thinking about it, from your perspective as board members, the thing that struck me the most is that how you feel about this, this right to vote, this duty to vote from a personal standpoint, should have no impact on your vote tonight,” he said.
”Your vote tonight should be based on what is best for our school and what’s best for our kids, and from that standpoint it makes sense to me. The thing I would ask you to do tonight when you look at this motion is put whatever personal feeling you have aside and honor your task as board members when you make your decision on how you’re going to vote tonight,” Mr. Herberling said.
Resident Reba Snyder said she also believes the switch would be a good idea, citing the defeat in April of 2008 by a five-vote defeat. She said that year tons of money, $702,000 according to past reports, was cut. She also said she doesn’t believe the election of school board members will become political.
”I’m not worried about this becoming a political thing, which is what a lot of people have an objection to,” Ms. Snyder said. “I don’t believe that. You don’t run as Democrats or Republicans for the board, just good honest people who do the best for our district.”
Board solicitor Stephen Mushinski, of Parker McCay in Marlton, said there is a provision in the statute that the county clerk and the county Board of Elections have to put the board candidates in a completely separate column away from Republican, Democrat and Independents.
”They have the ability to decide what the ballot is going to look like,” Mr. Mushinski said. “I don’t think that has been decided yet. There is specific language in the statute that requires the ballot to alleviate that situation (making board elections political).”
Board Vice President Joann Dansbury said she was bothered that if the district didn’t pass the resolution and the budget goes down, more cuts would have to be made.
”Even though I want people to vote, the municipalities have had this situation for as long as I can remember, their budget is not voted on if they’re at or below the cap,” she said. “My concern is them being very clear on the ballot, we’re not political. I just think that based on the fact that we have the commissioner and the governor and the Legislature, all of these people including the superintendent, who’s made a recommendation, I think I’m clear.”
Board member Lisa Kay Hartmann, one of the descending votes, said she would like to hear more information from the public before making a decision.
”I think, through my research, one of my favorite lines that I believe really says it for me is, ‘securing the power of our vote as free people and having a true voice in any education outweighs any supposed benefits from passing this bill,’” Ms. Hartmann said.
Board President Tom Dalton said he will be able to sleep comfortably at night if the board has a fiscally responsible budget.
”I don’t think any voter would have a problem with that and I’m sure that’s why I was elected to represent them,” he said. “The budget this year will be a fiscally responsible one. Since I’m the board president, we’re going to have a responsible budget. That’s certainly going to happen. It’s supporting not only the superintendent but the employees also.”
Superintendent Constance Bauer reiterated her recommendation to the board for the switch to November saying any budget cuts would result in a reduction in the next year’s 2 percent cap.
”My job, primarily, first and foremost, is to ensure that we have the resources necessary to provide quality education for our young people, that’s what this board hired me to do,” she said. “I believe this legislation protects the financial stability of the district moving forward. I believe firmly in the ability of this Board of Education to review and ensure the interest of the constituents is represented, most importantly the interest of the children that are served.”
Under the legislation there are three ways in which the vote can be moved to November.
The board of education or a municipal governing body by passing a resolution or voters by way of petition could move the vote to November. In the case of regional school districts, all municipalities involved would have to vote to move the election.
Last year the district spent about $8,300 on the election, according to Business Administrator Eloi Richardson. The district would save on this cost, but it is unclear by how much because it would be responsible for any increased costs in the election.
Districts and municipalities that choose to move the vote to November cannot move it back to April for another four years.

