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Schools

West Essex BOE Tables Decision on Moving Elections

Ponders pros and cons of new state law; treated to duet by All-State Chorus members.

Story updated Thursday, Feb 2, at 10:15 a.m.

In a jam-packed West Essex Board of Education meeting, filled with curriculum presentations, teachers pleading their case for "honor and integrity" during contract negotiations, and even a musical performance by two students, the Board decided to hold off on making a decision on a regarding school board elections.

With Board Members Diane Storey and Paul Rando absent from Monday night's meeting, remaining Board members chose to wait until the Monday, Feb. 13 meeting to cast a final vote on a resolution that would do the following:  

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  • move the election date of school board elections from April to the General Municipal election in November;
  • eliminate the annual voter referendum on the proposed school budget if it falls below the tax levy cap (currently at 2%); and
  • extend Board member terms which expire on May 1, 2012 to the new reorganization meeting to be scheduled in January 2013.

The proposed resolution would remain in effect for four years, when the Board could decide to revert back to having May elections and an annual voter referendum.

While the state deadline for making a final decision is Friday, Feb. 17, if school boards from the four sending districts that comprise the vote to make this change, West Essex will be required by law to move their elections as well. 

Find out what's happening in Caldwellswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Roseland, North Caldwell and Essex Fells have already approved this move.

Business Administrator Michael Falkowski and Board President Marie Rosenberg believe the Fairfield BOE, the remaining sending district, has yet to vote on the resolution.

After Falkowski made a presentation to the Board on the benefits of passing the resolution, Board members discussed the pros and cons of the proposed resolution.

While one of the biggest benefits would be an approximately $15,000 in savings created from the cancellation of April polling costs, several Board members questioned if it was fair to not allow the taxpayers to vote on the budget.

Board member David Laible was also concerned with any possible kinks in state procedures, while BOE Members Frank Antonucci and Dawn Smith voiced concerns about the "politicizing" of school Board elections if they are held in November.

Countering their arguments, Board Member Angela Gerken said it is a "tremendous amount of work" getting voters out for school elections, while Board President Marie Rosenberg said the numbers for passing school budgets is getting smaller each year.

While West Essex has never had a problem passing their school budget, if the economy continues to slide, it may become difficult to get the school budget approved, even with the two percent spending cap.

All Board members agreed to further consider the resolution before making a final vote in February.

Other Board Business

  • The meeting began on a high note, with a duet from West Essex Seniors and NJ All-State Chorus members Nicole Pigott and Gina Morello.  Piggot, who performed with the all-state mixed chorus in Atlantic City and NJPAC in November, and Morello, who will perform with the All-State Women's Chorus at NJPAC this month, treated the Board to a performance of "For Good" from the Broadway musical Wicked.
  • In additon to the many teachers who attended the meeting, two administrators also attended the meeting to make curriculum presentations.
  • Derek Sica, the Supervisor for World Languages and Music, discussed the World Language department's efforts to continue to strengthen their AP classes. In music, the department is increasing the use of technology-based lessons, while offering more venues to showcase students' talents.
  • Susan Vonsover, the Consultant to the Special Services Department, discussed her goal of creating uniform guidelines in such areas as home instruction, Individual Education Plans (IEP) and procedures between the guidance department and child study teams. Overall, Vonsover is hoping to improve inter-school communication.
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