Time Almost Up to Enter Race for Board of Education

Those planning to run for the Board of Education this November have until next Tuesday to get their petitions filed with the Bergen County Clerks Office.

Three seats are up for re-election this year; each a three-year term. Board of Education President Josephine Ciocia, a longtime trustee up for re-election this year, has previously told Patch she would most likely not seek re-election.

Connie Doheny, another longtime trustee, is also up for re-election as is Mark Stefanelli who was appointed last October to fill a seat left vacant by former trustee Richard Giarratana.

Ciocia, Doheny and Stefanelli are currently serving out extended terms which expire Dec. 31 of this year. The terms would have ended this past April had there been an election but were extended to go in part with the board’s decision to move the annual election to November. Hasbrouck Heights was one of 54 school districts in Bergen County which decided to move its election.

This is also the first year taxpayers have not voted on the budget as moving the election to November if within a 2 percent cap.  In March, the board of education approved the budget for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year which will cost the average homeowner an extra $127 in taxes.

Petitions can still be picked up in the office according to Dina Messery, business administrator. Petitions must be filed with the county clerk by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5.