BOE Seeking Candidates for Seats on School Board

Three seats on the Fort Lee Board of Education are up for grabs in April, and the BOE has announced that the deadline for filing nominating petitions is 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8.

The terms of board vice president Peter J. Suh, Michelle Stux-Ramirez and Joseph J. Surace are set to expire this year. The election is scheduled for April 27.

“One of the most meaningful contributions that a citizen can make to their community is serving on their local board of education,” said Raymond R. Wiss, NJSBA president. “I encourage all interested citizens to consider school board membership. It doesn’t require a degree in education, or a background in politics. However, it does require a sincere interest in the community, its children, and their education.”

In Fort Lee, issues of overcrowding in the local schools and an aging and rapidly deteriorating infrastructure will face new board members as well as those whose terms are continuing. In December, Fort Lee voters rejected a proposal to upgrade and expand the borough's school system for the second time in three months. Shortly after the vote, Fort Lee Superintendent of Schools Raymond Bandlow and BOE president Carmelo Luppino said a third referendum may be necessary before July or the school district risks losing $18 million in state aid and faces "the very real possibility" of needing to install trailers as a temporary fix, and having students attend split sessions as a long-term solution to overcrowding. It remains to be seen whether a third referendum will be something the board decides to pursue.

Another issue facing the board this year is a more vigorous enforcement policy of the district’s residency requirements.

The Fort Lee Board of Education is governed by a nine-member board elected by members of the community. Board members are elected to three-year terms and receive no compensation, but estimates state estimates put the workload at anywhere from 11 to 25 hours a week. The board meets two Monday evenings each month, with holidays occasionally altering the schedule and is a policy-making body whose primary task is the formation and evaluation of educational policies.

In addition to Suh, Stux-Ramirez and Surace, current BOE members are as follows with term expiration in parentheses: John Bang (2012), Arthur W. Levine (2013), Linda McCue (2012), Angela Napolitano (2012), Yusang Park (2013) and current board president Carmelo Luppino (2013).

If you’re interesting in running for a seat on the school board, you can obtain a candidate kit at the school district office at 255 Whiteman St. or online. The kit includes such information as a sampling nominating petition, information about legal qualifications for candidacy and the expected role of a school board member. Important dates in the school election process and briefing sessions for school board candidates can also be found in the kit.

Some of the information you will find in the kit:

• Petitions

At least ten signatories, one of which may by the candidate him or herself, are required to nominate a candidate.

• Qualifications

Must be a citizen of the United States of America.

Must be at least 18 (eighteen) years of age to qualify for office.

Must be able to read and write.

Must have been a resident of Fort Lee for at least one year preceding the date of the election.

Must not be disqualified as a voter pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:4-1.

Must be a registered voter in the district.

• Campaign Reporting Requirements:

All candidates for school board office must comply with the provisions of the New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act. For further information, contact the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).

• Dates

March 8, 2011

4 p.m. is the deadline for candidates to file nominating petitions

March 14, 2011

Last day for a candidate to withdraw from the election, requiring filing a signed, written notice with the board secretary. It is also the last day to amend a defective petition.

April 27, 2011

Annual School Election

April 30, 2011

Last day to file Personal-Relative and Financial Disclosure forms with the Executive County Superintendent and Board Secretary. For newly elected or newly appointed school board members, the deadline is 30 days after taking office.

May 2 - 14, 2011

Newly elected board members are sworn in at annual board organizational meetings.