School Board Calls 'Special Meeting' for New Election Law

The Lacey Township School District has called a “special meeting” to discuss the possibility of shifting their board elections to November. The meeting will be held in the high school’s lecture hall at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6.

that says school boards that move their elections to the fall no longer need to have their budgets passed by public referendum if they do not exceed the state’s 2 percent tax levy cap. If they do exceed the cap, a public vote would still be held in November when board members are elected.

When asked if Lacey would be making the shift, school board President Jack Martenak said it will be considered but they were waiting on further details from the state as to how the law will be implemented.

“I think it has the potential to be a positive move,” Martenak said in January.

Holding elections in November would allow for a greater voter turnout and could help the district save on the costs of running a separate election.

If the district moves the election to November and does not exceed the 2 percent tax levy cap in its proposed budget, a referendum will no longer be necessary, which would allow for more planning without the concern of a budget outcome, Martenak said.

If the Board of Education chooses to leave elections in April, the township committee has the right to overrule the decision and the public can also petition.

According to the law, moved to November, acting as filing officer for nomination petitions, ruling on objections to nominations and designing the set-up of the ballot.

To make the switch, Lacey needs to approve a resolution no later than Friday, Feb. 17, just four days before this month’s school board meeting—hence the need for a “special meeting.”

Since the law has been passed, including Central Regional, Manchester and Barnegat.

Martenak did not immediately return calls for comment.