Want to Become a Board of Ed Candidate? Get Busy

It’s last call for Board of Education nominating petitions. The paperwork must be in tomorrow, March 8, if you want to be considered for a run as a board member.

“In Middletown, we have had contested elections the past few years, including seven candidates running for three open seats last year,” Middletown Board of Education President Michael Donlon said.  “This year, there are three 3-year seats up for election.  Those seats are currently held by Laura Agin, Kevin Ryan and Rose Stallmeyer.”

The nine-member board is currently comprised of: Donlon, president, Vincent Brand, (newly appointed) vice president, Laura gin, Christopher Aveta, Michael Mascone, Joan Minnuies, Kevin Ryan and Rose Stallmayer.  Brand replaced recently resigned member Dan Skelton, whose one-year unexpired term will also be up for election in April.

This year, board elections and the schools budget vote is slated for April 27. Usually, it’s the last Tuesday in the month of April, but this year it’s the last Wednesday.

The New Jersey School Boards Association reminds interested residents that their help is not only needed but there are requirements that must be met in order to qualify for a board nomination.

The state board recently launched a campaign designed to cull local board candidates, as the job is a demanding one and, as such, has become a less sought after one lately. 

The plea was posed in a released statement that suggested a help-wanted ad structure. NJSBS President Raymond R. Weiss, suggested, “Wanted: Citizens who are dedicated and hard-working, have a strong sense of ethics, are willing to learn and ask questions, and can communicate with and work well with others.”  In addition to those standard qualifications, Weiss said board contenders “must be willing to represent the interests of the children and the taxpayers in their community.”

On procedure, Weiss said that interested residents must first get a nominating petition from their board administration office. When it is completed and turned back into that office, it must include 12 registered voters’ signatures, which are all verified for eligibility.  For more information, interested prospective board members can look at more in-depth information on the NJSBA website at www.njsba.org/candidacy.

“The local board of education establishes policies that guide the operation of the schools in areas such as instruction, personnel, facilities management and community relations,” the NJSBA release said. “The school board sets the goals that reflect the community's desires for its schools.

Each year, the board must also evaluate the superintendent.  It approves the proposed budget for submission to voters, oversees spending, approves the curriculum, and represents the public in contract negotiations.”