Candidates must file by 4 p.m. Monday for Plainfield's third November school board election.
Formerly held in April, the annual school board election was moved by a City Council vote in 2012 over objections of school board members who felt the board should have decided whether to make the decision. Legislation establishing the four-year trial gave either body the right to move the election. The move had the effect of adding eight months to the three-year terms of incumbents, ending in December instead of May. If, as the legislation allows, the elections are moved back to April after four years, those in office will serve less than the traditional three years.
The change took place in a presidential election year and did garner many more votes for school board candidates than in April elections. Because of Superstorm Sandy, many voters opted for alternate means of voting and results, though delayed, reflected the difference. The top BOE vote-getter in 2012 received over 4,400 votes, but by 2013 the highest tally was just 2,500.
Each year, three three-year seats are up, plus any unexpired terms caused by a member resigning or otherwise vacating his or her term. Last year, Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Green announced his school board slate in June as ”a black female, a Latino (sic), and a white male gay.” They were named as Deborah Clarke, Anabella Melgar and Richard Lear. A competing slate included Board President Wilma Campbell, Frederick Moore Sr. and David Rutherford. Campbell, Clarke and Moore won.
So far, no public announcements of slates or individual candidacies have been made.
Interest in school board elections has varied widely since the city changed from an appointed to an elected board. In 2010, 10 candidates filed for three seats and four more filed for an unexpired term. In 2011, only four people filed for three seats. It has happened that the roster fell short of three candidates and the county superintendent had to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. On Monday, candidates must file at the Union County Clerk's Office. Information for candidates is posted here.
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I can only hope and pray that the new candidates bring more to the table than the current regime. All they do is rubber stamp the Superintendent, just like the days of the Reign of Dr. Gallon. Wilma Campbell is a disgrace to the position she holds, she is NOT here for the children she was elected to serve, neither is the Superintendent for that matter. They ALL need to go, from the top on down.
ReplyDeleteyou got it all wrong. they all rubber stamp wilma campbell and her husband. they are no better than gallon or green. their son will never win over green.
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