Are You Ready To Run? Update

Bring Integrity Back

Legal Requirements To become a member of a local board of education in New Jersey, you must— 
• Be able to read and write 
• Hold U.S. citizenship and one year’s residency in the school district 
• Be registered to vote in the district before filing the nominating petition 
• Have no interest in any contract with, or claim against, the board 
• Not hold office as mayor or member of the municipal governing body or, in the case of county school districts, the county governing body 
• Not simultaneously hold two elective offices 
• Not be disqualified from membership for the conviction of certain crimes. (Within 30 days of election or appointment to the board, a member must undergo a criminal history background investigation through the state Department of Education.)

17 years ago the Englewood School District changed from a Type I (appointed) School Board to a type II (elected) School Board. 

Prior to 2000, the School Board was appointed by the Mayor. He/she  had to pay careful attention to the makeup of the Board.

Each Ward had to be represented, otherwise he/she ran the risk of not being re-elected.  

School Board Elections are non-partisan. It is not supported or controlled by a political party, special interest group, or the like. 

Notice that 7 of the current School Board Members live in the 3^rd ward. 4 of those 7 members live within a stone’s throw of each other on the same street. At least 3 of the Senior Members have been on the board nearly 15 years. 4 & 5 terms. If the District was not in such a mess, that would be okay, but alas that is not the case.

3 Elections ago EPSD joined other NJ School Boards in moving School Board Elections to November. The Voters in Englewood no longer have the opportunity to vote on the Budget.  This guarantees that Board Members can maintain a 2% increase in taxes with no interference from the voters.

Englewood School Board Members	Position	Ward	District
Brown, Stephen L.	President	3rd	3
Pruitt III, Henry	Vice Pres.	3rd	4
Glenn Garrison		3rd	2
George Garrison III		3rd	4
Molly Craig-Berry		3rd	2
Betty Griffin		4th	3
Kim  Donaldson		3rd	2
Midgette David		3rd	2
Elisabeth Schwartz		1st	2

We The People, have a serious task ahead. We must choose 3 people from the following list to serve on the School Board for the next 3 years. Many would have you think that Board Members must have all of this experience in Education and Finance. Nothing could be further from the truth. Education Law, 18A requires that each School Board Member get training from the New Jersey School Board's Association.
Candidates, have you picked up your kit from the NJ School Boards Association Website? 
https://www.njsba.org/about/membership/membership-school-board-members/school-board-candidacy/

Column # on Ballot	2017 Englewood School Board Candidates November 7	Ward	District
1	Brent Watson	2nd	3
2	Michelle Marom	2nd	1
3	Howard Haughton	3rd	4
4	Betty Griffin	4th	3
5	Bill Feinstein	3rd	3
6	Matthew Garrison	3rd	2
7	Dierdre Paul	4th	2
8	Dalia Lerner	1st	2

The INCUMBENTS, Stephen Brown and Glenn Garrison have withdrawn their names from
the ballot. They are no longer running for re-election. There are now only 8 Candidates. It is great to have so many people interested in serving our School District.

2017 NJ School Board Candidacy and Elections

What does a NJ School Board actually do? Q & A

What is the School Ethics Commission?

Requirements of the NJ School Ethics Act 

The Criminal Background Check - What happens if a Board Member's history catches up with him/her? Does conviction of a crime year's ago disqualify School Board Membership?