Tie Vote Means School Election Won't Move; Budget Voting Remains

The vote to move the school elections from April to November ended with a tie  at this week's meeting.

The 4-4 vote means for now, will stay in April and the budget will remain up for public discussion and vote.

Legislation introduced by Gov. Chris Christie in January allows districts to move school board and budget elections to November, combining it with the general election ticket.

District Business Administrator Cindy Barr-Rague said last year's election cost $32,000, a portion of which is paid for by the Freehold Regional High School District who shares the election. This month, the Freehold Regional High School district voted to move its election to November, meaning Marlboro would have to pay the entire amount. Additional costs include about $7,000 of mandatory advertising of the election.

Debate about whether or not the board elections will become politicized by adding it to the general election, as well as the worry about taking away the public budget vote counteracted saving almost $50,000.

According to the new permissive law, the decision is left to Boards of Education as well as local governments, but voters are able to get the issue on the November ballot for a public vote with a petition.