School Board Election Petitions Due Today

Today at 4 p.m. is the deadline for residents to file nominating petitions for candidacy in the 2011 school board elections.

Nearly 1,500 school board seats will be available statewide for the Wednesday, April 27 election.

In New Jersey, there are 4,800 local board of education members  — the largest group of elected officials in the state, according to New Jersey School Board Association figures.

These members are responsible for a variety of district-related decisions, affecting 2,400 public schools and 1.37 million children, including setting the policies under which school districts operate — decisions concerning curriculum, personnel, and the use of school buildings.

In Bloomfield, three-year terms are ending for BOE Vice President Rachel Park and BOE members Susan Wolf and Anthony Petrillo, meaning three seats will be up for election.