How to Run For School Board in Westwood, Washington Twp., Hillsdale

Anyone interested in serving on their local school board has until June 4 to submit a petition to the county.

Board members are responsible for a variety of duties each year, including setting district goals, overseeing the budget and curriculum and hiring administrators and staff.

There are four seats up for election on the Westwood Regional Board of Education this year, including two three-year terms from Westwood, one three-year term from Washington Township and a one-year unexpired term for Washington Township from outgoing member Barbara Gregory.

The Hillsdale Board of Education has two of seats up for election this year, including one full three-year term and one unexpired one-year term from former member Debbie Loganchuk.

There are four of seats up for election on the Pascack Valley Regional Board of Education, including three-year terms from Hillsdale, River Vale and Woodcliff Lake and a one-year unexpired term from Montvale.

According to the New Jersey School Boards Association, the requirements to be a board member are:

• Be able to read and write;
• Hold U.S. citizenship and one year’s residency in the school district;
• Be registered to vote in the district before filing the nominating petition;
• Have no interest in any contract with, or claim against, the board;
• Not hold office as mayor or member of the municipal governing body;
• Not simultaneously hold two elective offices and
• Not be disqualified from membership for the conviction of certain crimes.

In order to get on the ballot, interested candidates must get at least 10 signatures on a petition and submit it to the county by June 4. Forms are available at the local board of education offices or at the Bergen County Clerk Election Division located at 1 Bergen County Plaza, Room 130, Hackensack, where the petitions must also be submitted.

More information about being a candidate and a school board member is available on the NJSBA's website here.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Jim Leggate at Jim.Leggate@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.