School Elections Move to November, Budget Vote Eliminated

trustees voted 6 to 3 in favor of moving the school elections to November and eliminating the need for a public vote on school budgets that come within 2 percent cap on the tax levy.

As a result of the Thursday night decision, voters will not go to the polls this April and will instead vote for board trustees up for re-election in November as part of the general election. Dina Messery, business administrator, explained that all the deadlines for budget approval will remain the same.

The 2012-2013 budget process will go on as scheduled and the board must host public hearings on the budget, she said. The budget for the next school year has to be approved prior to the new fiscal year which begins in July and must be within the 2 percent cap. If the board proposes a budget that goes beyond the 2 percent cap that additional portion of the budget will be presented to voters in November by way of referendum question, Messery said.

Connie Doheny, Mark Nazarro, Lillian Romano, Robert Salerno, Joseph Sampieri and Mark Stefanelli voted in favor of the change while Debra Bruno, Joseph Rinke and board president Josephine Ciocia voted against it.

Ciocia said she just personally felt that the public should still have a right to vote on the budget. She also felt that the school election should be kept separate from the general election as being a part of it could possibly generate a political feel to the school board election.

As a board member whose term is up for re-election this year, Ciocia said she will support the majority’s decision and will stay out her term which is now extended until Dec. 31. Ciocia told Patch that she had not intended to run for re-election this year however she said her decision could change while she serves out the extended term.

Also up for re-election this year is board trustee Connie Doheny. to serve out the remainder of a term left vacant by a board member who resigned in September, will also be up for re-election in November. Both of their terms are also extended to Dec. 31.

Annual reorganization meeting will no longer be held in May and will take place at the start of January, Messery said.

Originally those interested in filing a petition to run for the Board of Education had to meet a deadline of Feb. 27 but as result of this decision any potential candidates will have until later this year to file in time for the November election, Messery said.

gives school districts the option of deciding to move election from April to November and eliminates the need for  a public vote on the school budget. The intention behind moving the election to November is to bring a savings to the district on election costs while also increasing voter turnout.

Messery said she does not know exactly how much the district will save as a result of moving the election. Last year’s election cost about $16,000 and she believes that this move will definitely save some of that cost.

Hasbrouck Heights joins a growing list of school districts who have made the move in the past week in favor of the new law. Other area towns include , , Oradell and Mahwah.

According to the approved resolution the decision must remain in effect for a minimum of four years.