Caldwell-West Caldwell Schools may soon join neighboring districts around the county, and throughout the state, by moving school board elections from April to November.

On Monday night, the district’s Board of Education discussed the pros and cons of making the switch allowed by a state law passed last month.

School boards in North Caldwell, Roseland, Essex Fells, Livingston and West Orange have already approved moving elections, with Caldwell-West Caldwell slated to make a decision at the Feb. 13 board meeting.

According to the law passed by the Senate and Assembly, school boards can move the election and do not have to have a voter referendum on the school budget so long as it falls within the mandated 2% cap to the tax levy. Board members whose terms are set to expire at the start of May would serve through the end of the year.

District Business Administrator and Board Secretary Ronald Skopak said Monday after years and years of buzz about moving elections, he “never” thought he’d see it happen.

Skopak said the district would save approximately $17,000 paid to Essex County annually for April elections. Another advantage, he said, is that districts that stay within the 2% cap could bank the difference to use another year. A November election could also mean greater voter participation.

Board Member John King expressed concern about school board elections becoming politicized. Otherwise, he said, the switch makes sound financial sense.

“I guess we have to move forward with it,” King said, “There’s so many positives.”

Board Member Paula Getty agreed with King, “It certainly is cost-effective.”

Caldwell-West Caldwell Education Foundation President Marie Lanfrank said during the public portion of the meeting she was concerned about seeing non-partisan school board candidates listed on lawn signs with candidates running for partisan offices.

“This is Essex County,” Lanfrank said. “We are political.”

The resolution would lock the changes for four years after which the district could pass another resolution and go back to the old way.

“If you make a move now, you have to live with it,” Skopak said.

Districts throughout the state have until Friday, Feb. 17 to make their decisions.