FRHSD Board Elections Moved to November

The Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education adopted a resolution to move the Board of Education elections to November at their special meeting in on Monday, Feb. 6.

The change follows the new state law which allows school districts to move the April Board election to the November General Election, which Gov. Christie signed into legislation in January; the Board unanimously approved the resolution, which requires the new election date be maintained for a minimum of four years.

The law also stipulates that the district must eliminate the annual vote on the general fund tax levy if it is beneath the statutory cap (which is currently 2 percent), and that an additional general fund tax levy proposal be shown to voters as a separate question at the General Election if the budget exceeds the cap.

According to the resolution, the Board of Education “believes that the financial interest of its constituents is safeguarded by the state’s tax levy cap and the thorough review of the proposed school budget by the Executive  County Superintendent and the Executive County School Business Administrator.”

Additionally, the resolution stated that the Board surmises that more residents will participate in the school elections if they are grouped with the general election “and that the higher level of participation will foster positive interest in our public schools.”

Board member, and Freehold Township High School representative, Maryanne Tomazic said she ultimately feels moving the election is in the best interest of the district, but said she was concerned about Board elections becoming political.

“To me, personally, being a school board member should be the most accessible position for anybody to attain,” Tomazic said. “You shouldn’t need lots of money and you shouldn’t need to be very ingrained in your political party to eventually make it to a school board member position.”

Tomazic said that during April elections school board candidates spend approximately $400 to $700 on a campaign, whereas mayoral candidates will spend up to $12,000 on a campaign for a November election. Tomazic said that she hopes school board candidates will make a sincere commitment to stay out of the political parties and not partner with them for more exposure.

Furthermore, Tomazic said she hopes voters will make an effort to understand the district issues and learn about the candidates, and not just be overrun with information from other elections taking place in November. Despite her concerns, Tomazic voted to adopt the resolution.

With the election being switched to November, the Board’s annual reorganization meeting will be moved to the first week of January following the November election and Board Members whose terms would have expired in May of this year will be extended until January 2013.