Council Decides Not to Act on School Elections

Last week, Councilwoman Randi Marder began a discussion of the deadlocked decision by the Board of Education not to move the school election to November, under the new business portion of the Marlboro Town Council meeting.

This week, the Board of Education tied in a 4-4 vote, which means for now, will stay in April and the budget will remain up for public discussion and vote.

Marder said she does not believe the council should take action to reverse the decision to keep school elections in April, but should let the public decide.

"It's an opportunity for us to say to the people: 'you guys decide,'" Marder said.

Council Lawyer Louis Rainone said the council cannot place a binding referendum on the November ballot under this school board election law, but the council can place a non-binding question on the ballot.

However, voters are able to get the issue on the November ballot for a public vote with a petition.

Some Town Council members expressed sentiments of not getting local government involved in school board issues, including Council President Jeff Cantor and Mayor Jon Hornik. Hornik is not a voting member of council.

"I don't know if it is our business to intercede," Cantor said.

"This was heavily debated over a period of time [by the board]. Their inability to make a decision was their decision," Hornik said.

Councilman Frank LaRocca said if the council were to take action, he is personally split about the matter. LaRocca said he realizes combining elections will save the district money, but said he does not feel right about taking away the public right to vote on the school budget.

The councilman brought up the possibility of the Board of Education raising taxes to a level just under the two percent cap from the state.

"The public should always have a choice," LaRocca said.