The last four elections took place in November after the Plainfield City Council voted over board members' objections in February 2012 to change from April. Either entity could vote to revert to April after four years, and just a week after the November 2015 election, the school board did so in a "walk-on" vote at a work-and-study session.
From Nov. 10 minutes posted in January:
IV. REMARKS FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
Mrs. Campbell stated that as a Board they had an option to change the Board Elections to April after four years of having November elections. She questioned whether the process had become too political. It was supposed to be separate and apart from partisan elections and people were confused in thinking that when they voted for a particular board candidate they were voting a party line. She stated a resolution had been prepared to change the election back to the third Tuesday in April and then read the resolution out loud.
Mr. John Campbell stated that he believed education was too important to mingle in politics. The motion to move the election was carried by a 7-1 vote. Mrs. Campbell moved and seconded by Mr. Moore to move the election to April. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with seven members in favor and one opposed.
Wilma Campbell is expected to run for re-election and, given a track record of being the top vote-getter in at least her last three elections, she is likely to win a fourth term on April 19. I do not have figures for the 2004 election, but she garnered 766 votes in 2007, 1,455 in 2010 and 2,500 in 2013.
The decision to revert to April bucks a trend. In 2013, according to New Jersey School Boards Association figures, 501 districts held elections in November and 41 in April. By 2015, 521 districts held November elections and only 17 still held April elections.
The decision to revert to April bucks a trend. In 2013, according to New Jersey School Boards Association figures, 501 districts held elections in November and 41 in April. By 2015, 521 districts held November elections and only 17 still held April elections.
In Plainfield, holding a separate school board in April is expected to cost $115,000.
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp sought to overturn the board's action, but Mapp did not get consensus to move the resolution to the January agenda.
The 2016 school board election will take place on April 19 and candidates must file by 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29.
--Bernice
Its interesting that Wilma Campbell gives the excuse that BOE elections have become political as the main reason to move elections to April. The Campbells have made the BOE elections political and this has been going on for years with Jerry Green in the mix. Let's get real. The Campbells want power and the BOE seems the only place they can get it. It is about time we voted their power out and get someone who cares about our children's education working for the Plainfield education system.
ReplyDelete“Mr. John Campbell stated that he believed education was too important to mingle in politics”. I think everyone can agree the Campbell’s are some of the most political people in Plainfield and their new alliance with Assemblymen Green and his crew is apparent.
ReplyDeleteI fail to see the benefit to the city in holding this election in April, which has historically had poor voter turnout. The BOE budget is more than three times the amount of the city budget. We should have as many people as possible voting to determine who decides how that money is allocated. If the main argument is that people might think they are voting the party line by holding elections in November, then we need to do a better job of educating our electorate. However I do understand that some candidates tend to benefit from voters not being as informed as they should be. There doesn't have to be a party affiliation in order for there to be a party influence. It's naive to think that several candidates have no political backing regardless if it's April or November. In addition we're going to pay as a city $115,000 that I know can be better spent somewhere else. How come November is good enough for EVERY other community in New Jersey but we can't get it right in Plainfield?
ReplyDeleteKevin S. Turner
Don't worry if Wilma Campbell wins in April they most likely will be agreement to move it back to November.
DeletePolitics, Kevin. You know that - it's pure and simple politics. But I think the Campbells will be very surprised how little this ploy will get them what they want.
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