NJSBA President Patti J. Pawling this week urged New Jersey citizens to take part in the 2006 Annual School Election on Tuesday, April 18. Statewide, voters in approximately 550 communities will elect men and women to serve in more than 1,500 school-board positions.

“The Annual School Election provides voters with a strong voice in deciding the future of their local public schools,” said Pawling. “But citizens cannot be heard if they don’t exercise their right to vote.”

Voters will also act on proposed school district operating budgets.

Impact of State Finances “We hope citizens appreciate that the school budget proposals on the April 18 ballot are as much a product of financial decisions at the state level as they are the product of local educational goals,” Pawling said.

“2006 marks the fifth consecutive year that schools have seen little or no increases in state aid, which is an important component in paying for public education,” she explained. “At the same time, schools have contended with rising expenses in areas such as utilities, fuel and health-insurance costs.”

NJSBA has developed a list of frequently asked questions about voting in the Annual School Election.