Change in Date for School Election Could Save District $10,000

The is hoping its recent decision to move the annual school election to November will save the district money, but some officials were concerned that the change will pull local party politics into the process.

The school board agreed to the change in a resolution that was approved last week. The school election in November will be for candidates vying for the three available seats on the school board. Unlike in previous elections, however, the public will not vote on the school district tax levy unless it exceeds a 2 percent increase from last year's levy, as per the law signed by Gov. Chris Christie late last month.

"This makes a big difference with out 2 percent cap," said School Board President Mary Venditti, who has been on the board for 15 years.

The board will still have to adopt the budget and submit the completed spending plan to the Union County Superintendent of Schools for review. The budget will also be presented to the community during an annual school board budget presentation, which will take place prior to the final adoption. Cranford voters have not rejected a school budget since the early 1990s, Venditti said.

According to School Business Administrator Robert J. Carfagno, one of the benefits of moving the election would be the savings to the district. Typically, it costs approximately $25,000-$30,000 to run an election. Merging the municipal and school election would save the district about $10,000. It will also mean greater voter turnout for candidates hoping to secure seats on the school board. Typically, voter turnout is low during school elections.

One of the concerns board members had with changing the date of the school election to coincide with the general election in November was the possibility of local political parties running candidates on the school board election ballot.

"Whats to stop a local Republican or Democrat from running a Board of Education candidate on a ticket," board member Michael Caulfield asked during a recent meeting.

School Board Attorney Anthony P. Sciarrillo said, however, that even if a candidate is affiliated with a political party, he or she would not be able to list their political affiliation on the formal election ballot. 

Another concern raised by board member Mary Catherine Sudiak was the annual review of the superintendent of schools which takes place in January. Sudiak questioned whether or not brand new board members would be able to effectively review the superintendent's job performance after only a couple of months in office. Venditti pointed out, however, that there would still be a majority on the nine-member board that will be established enough to contribute to the review process. Carfagno indicated, however, that such logistical problems could be ironed out as the November election draws closer.