- One district asked voters to approve spending outside of the state’s 2% tax levy cap.
- Four school boards conducted bond referendums asking voters to approve borrowing for school construction or renovation projects. Construction proposals totaled $118,703,688 million statewide.
- Four boards of education had other questions, including proposals to change from an appointed to an elected board; to reduce the size of the board of education or to expand the size of their board.
New Jersey voters went to the polls Nov. 2, and, in addition to voting for the governor, state legislative and local officials, most had the opportunity to elect members of their local boards of education.
This year, 1,594 board of education positions were on the ballot statewide. Incumbents made up about 47% of candidates and 684 seats were uncontested.
In addition, voters in nine school districts acted on ballot proposals, ranging from construction bond issues, and requests to increase the local tax levy above the state’s 2% cap, to proposed changes in the local school board composition.
In Montclair and Port Republic, voters approved proposals to reclassify the school districts from a Type I district, with members of the board of education appointed by the mayor, to a Type II school district, with members of the board of education elected.
Starting in 2012, communities were permitted to change the date of their annual school board elections from April to November. Over 90% of school districts now conduct November elections. Only 13 school districts hold their annual elections in April, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association’s records. (In addition, there are more than 40 districts in which school board members are appointed by the mayor or the county board of commissioners.)
Rate of Candidacy This year’s 2,174 candidates represented a ratio of 1.36 candidates per open seat. This was an increase in the number of candidates over 2020, when 1,915 candidates vied for 1,519 positions, for a ratio of 1.26 candidates per open seat, according to data gathered from the state’s 21 county clerks.
Ballot Questions School boards may place special questions on the November election ballot, and this year at least nine districts did so. Note that all results are unofficial, pending certification by the county clerk.
- Published: January 27, 2023
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