Time is running out for would-be candidates to run for election to the Lawrence Township Public Schools Board of Education.
The deadline to file a nominating petition for one of three seats on the school board is July 27 at 4 p.m. The nominating petition, to be signed by 10 registered voters, must be turned in to the Mercer County Clerk’s Office in Trenton.
The school board election is Nov. 3. The term is for three years.
At stake are the seats held by Michele Bowes, Dana Drake and Cathy LeCompte. Bowes and Drake could not be reached for comment. LeCompte said she is undecided as to whether to seek another term.
Bowes, who has served on the school board since 2016, is a social worker. She has two children who attend Lawrence Township schools.
Bowes sits on the school board’s Personnel, Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment and Development, and Community Relations and Legislative Affairs committees.
Drake has served on the school board since 2014. She is a small business consultant who specializes in human resources and accounting. She has one child enrolled in the school district.
Drake, who is the school board vice president, sits on the Finance and Facilities, Personnel and Negotiations committees; and the Special Education ad hoc committee.
LeCompte has served on the school board since 2018. She is a marketing graphic designer, and has two children who attended Lawrence Township schools.
She serves on the Finance and Community Relations and Legislative Affairs committees, and is the board liaison to the Lawrence Township Growth & Redevelopment Committee.
Candidates for the school board must be at least 18 years old, be able to read and write, and hold U.S. citizenship. They must have lived in the school district for at least one year.
They may not have an interest in, or hold a claim against, the school board. They may not serve on the municipal governing body, and may not be disqualified from holding office because of conviction of certain crimes.
Nominating petitions are available on the Mercer County Clerk’s website at www.mercercounty.gov, under the Elections tab on the left side.