The Mt. Laurel Board of Education has passed a resolution to move its annual school election from April to November.
Mount Laurel joins a number of school districts from across the county and the state that are Taking advantage of a new law approved by the legislature on Jan. 9 and signed by Gov. Christie on Jan. 17 that allows municipalities to move school elections from April to November.
Such a move could save Mt. Laurel taxpayers up to $20,000, according to reports.
In addition to electing board members in the November general election in the future, Mount Laurel voters will only cast a vote on the annual school budget if it exceeds the 2 percent cap limit imposed by the governor.
Mount Laurel Superintendent of Schools Dr. Antoinette Rath was in favor of the change in date.
“I do support this move because it allows the board to make decisions that best suit the community,” Rath said. “We will always be transparent with our budget process — as we’ve always been.”
Board president Ronald Frey thanked members for their discussion on the matter in a statement to the public.
“I want to thank board members for the deliberations during last week’s work session on this issue,” Frey said. “The (state) Department of Education has given boards of education until Feb. 17 to make a decision on moving the election, so this is the last opportunity we would have to make a change.
“Over the past 15 years, Mount Laurel’s annual school budget has failed only two times. With an annual cost of just under $20,000 to fund the election itself, the past 15 elections have cost Mount Laurel taxpayers some $300,000 that could have gone to the classroom.”
According to Frey, the new law does provide many safeguards. Districts are held to the 2 percent cap. If it is over cap, the budget must be placed on the November ballot in the form of a question.
Also, the board’s annual budget is still subject to strict review by the Department of Education.
“We still maintain our obligation to fully educate the public about how its money is spent in our schools,” Frey said. “There will be public hearings and meetings prior to board adoption at a public meeting.
“There will be information disseminated to the community, and the complete budget will continue to be posted on our website.”
Frey said last year, only 4,483 of Mount Laurel’s 28,327 voters went to the polls for school elections.
“That means less than 16 percent of the registered voters made crucial educational decisions for Mount Laurel’s 40,221 residents,” he said. “Like us, many surrounding boards are making the four-year commitment to November elections. We are taking the chance that moving the election to November will increase voter participation and save taxpayers money.”
Frey said it is a matter that the board will assess over the next four years.
“But in the meantime, we will have saved approximately $80,000 in taxpayer money,” he said.
Board members whose terms were set to expire in April will now be extended through November, according to the new law.
