Letter to the Editor: Vote for Schools

To The Editor,

On Wednesday, April 27, citizens throughout New Jersey will have a voice in charting the direction of their hometown schools.

That is the date of this year's Annual School Election, when voters in more than 90 percent of New Jersey school districts will select among 2,222 candidates vying for 1,612 school board seats. In addition, voters will decide whether to approve their local school board's proposed operating budget for the year. New Jersey is one of the few states that afford its citizens the opportunity to vote on their school budgets.

New this year: School budgets must operate within a 2-percent property tax cap, plus any adjustment allowed by law for things such as growing enrollment. 

These budgets reflect difficult decisions made by school boards throughout the state. Besides working under state-mandated caps, school boards have had to make hard choices such as reducing staff or implementing student activity fees for clubs and sports.

Voters of New Jersey have a strong history of supporting their local school budget. In fact, voters have approved a majority of school budgets throughout the state in all but two of the past 34 years.

In addition, the school board members that voters select will chart the direction of their local schools for the coming future. 

We encourage voters to take part in the Annual School Election on April 27, and make their voice heard.

In a democracy, citizens have the right to vote.  They also have a right not to vote.

Voters should contact their local school district office for polling times and locations in their communities.

Sincerely,

Raymond R. Wiss, President

New Jersey School Boards Association