Time is running out for would-be school board members to file to run for one of three seats on the Hopewell Valley Regional School District Board of Education, because the deadline is July 30.
Nominating petitions, to be signed by 10 registered voters, must be turned in to the Mercer County Clerk’s Office in Trenton by 4 p.m. July 30.
The school board election is Nov. 6.
At stake are the seats held by Jenny Long, Leigh Ann Peterson and Lisa Wolff, whose terms will expire at the end of the year. Peterson and Wolff represent Hopewell Township on the regional school board, and Long represents Pennington Borough.
Long is seeking a second term. Wolff has declined to seek a fourth term. Peterson could not be reached for comment. The term is for three years.
Seven of the nine members on the board represent Hopewell Township. Pennington Borough and Hopewell Borough have one representative each.
Only registered voters who live in Hopewell Township can sign a nominating petition for candidates seeking the two Hopewell seats and likewise, only registered voters who live in Pennington can sign the petition for candidates seeking the Pennington seat.
Candidates for 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 and be registered to vote.
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 at the school district’s business office, through the Mercer County Clerk’s Office, or only at the school district’s website at www.hvrsd.org