School Board Election Deadline Nears

If you have been thinking of throwing your hat into the ring and running for a seat on the , time is running out. Tuesday, also primary election day, is the last day to file as a school board candidate if you wish to be on the ballot in November.

Three board seats—those now filled by Dr. Frank Calabria, Frank Neglia and Deborah Orme—will be up for grabs. None of the three sitting members with expiring terms have indicated publicly whether they will seek re-election.

According to Morris County Clerk Joan Bramhall, the school board candidate filing deadline is 4 p.m. next Tuesday, June 5. You must file at the county clerk's office at 10 Court St. in Morristown.  

The November school election, which coincides with the general election, is new to Parsippany and many other New Jersey districts. Gov. Chris Christie signed into law legislation permitting local school districts to move their elections from April to November if they chose to do so.

in order to save the money that would have been spent on running a separate election. Additionally, districts that moved their elections to the fall no longer had to put their budgets before the public for a vote, as long as the plans kept residents' tax levy increases within the state-mandated 2 percent cap.  

Those interested in running for the school board must collect a minimum of 10 signatures within the township and present them at the county clerk's office. 

No late filings will be accepted, according to a clerk's office staffer.

Candidates filing a nominating petition must meet the following qualifications: 

• Must be a citizen of the United States of America 
• Must be at least 18 years of age 
• Must be able to read and write 
• Must be a resident for at least one year preceding the date of election in the municipality which he/she is to be elected. 
• Is not disqualified as a voter under state law, and is not disqualified from membership because of a conviction. 
• And is a registered voter in the school district 
• Within 30 days of election or appointment to the board, a member must undergo a criminal history background investigation through the New Jersey Department of Education.

If you have questions or need to obtain a petition, contact the clerk's office right away at 973-829-8219. The Tuesday deadline is firm, says the clerk's office. No late filings, either in person or by mail, will be accepted.

For more info, handy hints for prospective candidates are available at the New Jersey School Board Association website.

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