Voters Should Have A Choice

March 5, 2008

Contact: John Gorman / (609) 292-5199
Senator Christopher Bateman (R-16)

Should School Board Members Be Elected Or Appointed

Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-16) wants to give voters an option whether they want members of the local school board to be appointed or elected.

Senate Bill 794, sponsored by Senator Leonard Lance (R-23), would provide that school board elections occur at the time of the general election in November, as opposed to April when they are currently held.

Senator Bateman, with Senator Lance’s support, will propose an amendment to the bill to require a voter referendum that would determine if school board members should be appointed or elected in the first place.

“School board members make important decisions that not only affect our children’s education, but our property taxes as well,” stated Bateman. “People should have a choice as to whether they want their school board members be elected or appointed.”

In New Jersey some school board members are elected, while others are appointed by the mayor, county superintendent, or another chief executive officer of the municipality. Local school board members for the Jersey City, Paterson and Newark school districts are appointed by the state board of education and the chief state school officer.

“School board members should reflect the makeup of the community,” concluded Bateman. “The fairest way to do this is to hold an election. Anytime you have one or a select few individuals deciding who will hold these significant positions, you increase the possibility for fraud, kick-backs and political patronage.”

S-794 is posted for discussion tomorrow in the Senate Education committee.

Link to Post:

http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/bateman/voters-should-have-a-choice/268