Increasing Politicization In Nj School Board Elections Nj Spotlight

Leo Migdal

-Dec 3, 2025, 1:32 PM

increasing politicization in nj school board elections nj spotlight

More candidates signal their political leanings Hannah Gross, Education and Child Welfare Writer | November 14, 2024 | NJ Decides 2024, Education With school board races in 500 districts lining up with the presidential election, races saw an increase in voter turnout — and politicization in what are supposed to be nonpartisan elections. In an average year, most voters are not paying close attention to politics and may not come out to vote in local and school board elections. But the election for the president of the United States drives more people to the polls, where they are given a chance to also vote in lower-profile elections that have a big impact on... Some candidates used this momentum to aid their campaigns by linking themselves to better-known presidential and gubernatorial candidates through slogans, lawn signs and social media posts.

Parental rights are front and center in this year’s school board elections scattered across New Jersey, as clashes over education could bring more voters to the polls for races that usually don’t generate much... The right-leaning New Jersey Project is endorsing more than 480 school board candidates, about twice last year’s number. On the opposing side, new and existing groups are backing similar numbers of their own candidates in contested races. And the added heat over these issues could also boost turnout in the battle for the state Legislature, where all 120 seats in the Assembly and Senate are up for grabs Tuesday. “This year is very vitriolic on both sides, and I’m not saying one more than the other,” said Josh Aikens, president of Arise NJ, a conservative-leaning nonprofit that tracked 547 candidates in 2022. “People are attacking people at a more extreme level.”

School boards that have been making headlines recently closely mirror those where candidates endorsed by right-leaning organizations took control after last year’s elections. They include Ramapo Indian Hills Regional, where the new board passed a raft of controversial policies at its first meeting; Westwood, where an activist offered hidden cameras so students could tape their teachers; Middletown... Clip: 11/6/2023 | 4m 23sVideo has Closed Captions | CC Tuesday's election will show whether parental rights will be a part of that vote Clashes over local school board races on the ballot could bring more voters to the polls this year. The normally sleepy election has become highly politicized, as candidates spent the cycle sparring over so-called culture war issues like "parental rights" and protections for transgender students in public schools.

These topics have the potential to fuel or eclipse the upcoming legislative races. Problems playing video? Report a Problem | Closed Captioning Feedback Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page. ‘It is critical that we keep politics out of school board elections. We’re in a world marked by diverse rhetoric and partisan bickering, and the last place we need that to occur is at the local school board level.’ - Timothy Purnell, EdD, New Jersey School...

After decades of nonpartisan local elections for board of education spots, New Jersey has seen a handful of very contentious races over the past few years. About a month to go before the Nov. 5 school board elections, 1,804 candidates were registered with 1,487 open seats statewide. That averaged to just 1.21 candidates per seat, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association. A closer look at all 21 counties shows some clusters of competitive races. More than half (58%) of this year's school board candidates were incumbents looking to keep a seat — 1,042 individuals.

The mood in the Tenafly High School library was tense as six candidates for the Board of Education discussed the issues. They sat next to each other as they answered questions during last week's forum, but the responses showed just how bitterly divided they are. From how sex education and racism are taught in school to campaign funding, it was evident Tenafly is one of the many powder-keg school board races playing out across the state and the country. Two state education mandates have stirred controversy, reflecting a national trend: a 2021 law requiring public schools to promote themes of diversity, inclusion and equity and to examine the impact of unconscious bias and... In Tenafly, running together on the "parental rights" platform they say aims to give parents the power to determine what their children are taught in school, are challengers Matt Ackerman, Marissa Buonomo and Michael... A controversial policy on transgender students has created a stir in Middletown, where the board of education is facing a civil rights lawsuit from the state and rancor from its residents.

Now the fight is coming to Middletown’s school board election, as seven candidates compete for just three spots in the November balloting. Board Vice President Jacqueline Tobacco, an incumbent, supports the changes the board made that drew the Murphy administration’s lawsuit. “We crafted a policy that was compassionate and that was intended to make sure these children were taken care of in the best way possible,” said Tobacco, who disputes those who say the policy... Justin Meehan is one of the challengers looking to oust the board’s leadership over this and other issues. Clashes over local school board races on the ballot could bring more voters to the polls this year. The normally sleepy election has become highly politicized, as candidates spent the cycle sparring over so-called culture war issues like "parental rights" and protections for transgender students in public schools.

These topics have the potential to fuel or eclipse the upcoming legislative races. A new poll released Thursday from Emerson College shows Democrat Mikie Sherrill narrowly holding on to the lead against Republican Jack Ciattarelli – 49% to 48%. Just 3% said they are voting for someone else or undecided.

Increasing Politicization In Nj School Board Elections Nj Spotlight

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