Crandi

Nj School Board Races National Politics Driving Interest In Race

Leo Migdal
-
nj school board races national politics driving interest in race

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.

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... 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. As President-elect Donald Trump found favor among a majority of Monmouth County voters on Tuesday, winning 55% of the vote here, so too did conservative-leaning school board candidates. Teams with parents' rights messages and family values-focused election promises swept school board races across the Jersey Shore. In Colts Neck, the conservative-leaning "Colts Kids First" slate were the top vote getters for the Board of Education out of a field of nine candidates, according to unofficial results. The team — Robert Scales, Brian Scarpa, Sara Horowitz and Phyllis Camera — ran on a platform of "parents' rights," "pro-family policies" and "limit(ing) government overreach."

In New Jersey, the parents' rights movement has focused on what is commonly known as Policy 5756. The policy, which has been adopted and debated in numerous public schools across the state, instructs school staff not to disclose a student's changed gender identity to a parent or guardian without the student's... Parents' rights advocates have argued that the policy violates their rights as parents to make decisions about their children's education. Parents' rights advocates, like Colts Kids First, have also embraced other traditionally conservative educational stances. For example, Colts Kids First's website declares support for "protecting Title IX integrity." Title IX is a federal law that prevents sex-based discrimination in school and sports programs at educational institutions that receive federal... Congressional Democrats have pushed to include LGBTQ+ students under Title IX protections, while Republicans have fought those efforts.

Voters going to the polls Tuesday could decide the future agenda of the New Jersey Legislature. But the pivotal race could also be shaped by actions of the past. Thirteen years ago, lawmakers from both parties voted to give school districts the option of holding school board elections in November instead of April. The change meant low-voltage school board contests would now share the same general election ballot with candidates for federal, state and local offices. While hailed as a way to save taxpayer money and drive up voter participation, some lawmakers feared that the change would politicize local school board races, turning mostly nonpartisan candidates into cogs of county... And others argued that debate over micro, but crucial school district concerns would be eclipsed by the larger, well-funded contests for public office.

Yet, despite the hand wringing, most districts have since made the switch to November. 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...

Welcome to Hall Pass, a newsletter written to keep you plugged into the conversations driving school board governance, the politics surrounding it, and education policy. Reply to this email to share reactions or story ideas! In this section, we curate reporting, analysis, and commentary on the issues school board members deliberate when they set out to offer the best education possible in their district. Missed an issue? Click here to see the previous education debates we’ve covered. New Jersey Gov.

Phil Murphy (D) signed a law in June 2024 eliminating the requirement for teachers to pass the Praxis basic skills test before receiving their educator’s license. The test measured proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics. Several other states have eliminated or relaxed teacher certification requirements in recent years. Illinois, for example, stopped requiring teacher candidates to pass a basic skills test in 2019. In 2021, California passed a law providing teacher candidates with alternatives to basic skills tests. The New Jersey bill took effect on Jan.

1, 2025. WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM, WPGG-FM Radio, a Townsquare Media station, has the best talk radio in South Jersey. Luka Doncic accepted the blame for the LA Lakers’ loss, with one statistic proving to be unacceptable to the superstar. The Los Angeles Lakers were brought down to earth last night, as they lost to the Phoenix Suns in a brutal outing at home. The Suns ended the Lakers’ winning streak at 7 games with an impressive defensive performance that will teach JJ Redick a big lesson about their side’s effort. What moves do the LA Lakers need to make to win the NBA title?What would you do if you were in charge of the LA Lakers?

One of the biggest issues with the LA Lakers’ performance was their turnovers... Kylie Jenner's quiet romance with Timothée Chalamet is confirmed on The Kardashians as Khloé shuts down split rumors with one line. The post The Kardashians' quietly hints at Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet's relationship amid breakup rumors appeared first on NashvilleGab . An "abruptly" fired immigration judge sued Pam Bondi and the DOJ, alleging that Trump's claimed "constitutional right to discriminate against federal workers" derailed her career. The post 'This is not hypothetical': Canned immigration judge sues over Trump's claimed 'constitutional right to discriminate,' says he derailed her career first appeared on Law & Crime . She destroyed her engine without knowing

People Also Search

After Decades Of Nonpartisan Local Elections For Board Of Education

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...

Parental Rights Are Front And Center In This Year’s School

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 ...

School Boards That Have Been Making Headlines Recently Closely Mirror

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...

But The Election For The President Of The United States

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. As President-elect Don...

In New Jersey, The Parents' Rights Movement Has Focused On

In New Jersey, the parents' rights movement has focused on what is commonly known as Policy 5756. The policy, which has been adopted and debated in numerous public schools across the state, instructs school staff not to disclose a student's changed gender identity to a parent or guardian without the student's... Parents' rights advocates have argued that the policy violates their rights as parents...