Nominating Petitions for Board of Ed Candidates
On May 17, 2022, voters in the Greater Johnstown School District will have the opportunity to elect two individuals to serve three-year terms on the district’s Board of Education. Are you interested in becoming a school board candidate? Find out more below:
How to get your Name on the Ballot
In order to appear on the ballot in a small city school district, a qualified resident files a Nominating Petition with the District Clerk, signed by at least 100 qualified district voters.
Beginning on Monday, February 28, nominating petition packets may be picked up at the Knox Building between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays when school is in session, or may be requested by contacting the District Clerk by telephone (518-762-4611, ext. 3119) or email (lcarpenter@johnstownschools.org).
Filing Deadline:
The deadline for filing nominating petitions in a small city school district is 20 days before the election. Nominating petitions for the May 17, 2022 board election must be filed in the District Clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on April 27, 2022.
Reporting Campaign Expenses and Contributions
For candidates who have campaign expenditures and/or contributions of $0 -$500, sworn statements must be filed with the District Clerk. Candidates whose campaign expenses and/or contributions exceed $500 must file an itemized sworn statement with District Clerk and the Commissioner of Education. Campaign expense statement forms are included with the nominating petition packet provided to candidates.
Board Member Qualifications
Board of education members:
- Must be and have been a resident of the school district continuously for at least one year prior to the election
- Must be a qualified voter in the district (a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age, not adjudged to be incompetent)
- May not be a current employee of the school district
- Must be able to read and write
- May not reside with another member of the same school board as a member of the same family
- May not simultaneously hold another incompatible public office
- Can not have been removed from any school district office in the preceding year
- Once elected, must complete 12 hours of state mandated training (six hours of fiscal accountability training and six hours of governance skills training) during their first year of service. This training is paid for by the school district.
New York State law does not allow school districts to impose any other eligibility requirements for board members.
Board of Education Responsibilities
State statutes define the powers and duties of school boards. Some of the basic responsibilities of the Board of Education include:
- Hiring and annually evaluating the Superintendent.
- Reviewing and adopting policies to be implemented by the Superintendent for the operation of the school.
- Adopting an annual budget for presentation to voters.
- Reviewing and approving financial reports of the school system.
- Approving the hiring of personnel recommended by the Superintendent.
- Ratifying collective bargaining agreements; responsible with the Superintendent for negotiating terms and conditions of employment as outlined in the Taylor Law.
- Considering recommendations for building improvements and expansion, as well as determining the means for financing.
- Deciding how school boundaries are drawn and whether schools are closed.
Board Member Time Commitments
The Johnstown school board conducts one business meeting per month. An additional special meeting may be scheduled in certain circumstances. Board members are also assigned to various committees, which meet on a variable schedule. Attending district events to support the school community is encouraged when possible.
Board Member Compensation
School board members are not paid for their service, the time and commitment they provide is voluntary.
What if there are no candidates or not enough candidates?
The election is still held and the vacancies are filled by the individuals who receive the most write-in votes.
Why should I step forward?
Your local school board makes decisions that affect your children and your community. This could be your chance to weigh in and shape their future. If not you, then who?
Additional information about school board service can be found on the New York State School Boards Association website at http://www.nyssba.org/experience