The School District of South Orange and Maplewood has announced it has information available for citizens interested in running for a vacant seat on the Board of Education. There are three seats open for candidates in this year’s annual school election, scheduled for Wednesday, April 27, 2011. A full term on the school board runs for three years.

Those three seats are currently held by Richard Laine, Sandra Kassiem and Andrea Wren-Hardin.

Candidates can obtain a nominating petition at the Board of Education office, 525 Academy Street, Maplewood, or in the “School Board Candidate Kit” online at www.njsba.org.  In order to have one’s name on the ballot, the nominating petition must be filed at the Board of Education office by 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, 2011. 

The online School Board Candidate Kit also includes information about legal qualifications for school board candidacy and the role of the school board member.  Information about the New Jersey School Ethics Act and important dates in the school election process are also included in the kit.

 “One of the most meaningful contributions that a citizen can make to their community is serving on their local board of education,” said Raymond R. Wiss, NJSBA president.  “I encourage all interested citizens to consider school board membership. It doesn’t require a degree in education, or a background in politics. However, it does require a sincere interest in the community, its children, and their education.”