Three Candidates Running for As Many Seats in April BOE Election

Three Manchester Board of Education members' seats are up for grabs and as many candidates have declared that they will run for the positions. 

Tuesday afternoon marked the deadline for candidates to file petitions to run for school board seats.. 

According to the Office of the Ocean County Clerk, the terms of three members are set to expire this year. Board President Mary Walter of Whiting, who has served since 1996, and Board Member Steve Placido of Manchester, elected in 1995, will run for re-election.

Board member Gary Rhodes, who has served on the board since 1996, will not seek another term, said Craig Lorentzen, buiness administrator and board secretary for Manchester schools.

Jennifer Hudak of Toms River, who has never held a Manchester school board position, has filed her candidacy.

According to Lorentzen, the positions of the candidates on the ballot will be determined by a March 17 drawing.

But with three candidates running for three seats, ballot position should not be a factor, Lorentzen said. 

"Typically, when you have a contested election, ballot position could be important. However, since this will be an uncontested election since there are three seats available and three petitions submitted, it is likely these candidates will win the seats," he said.

The district's 2011-12 budget will also be up for approval during the April 27 election. Polls in Manchester will be open from 2:30 to 9 p.m., and voters must register to vote by April 6. Voters can also apply to cast their ballot by mail.

The board recently passed its tentative budget for next school year. After county approval, the budget, Lorentzen said, will then be presented "in detail" during a required public meeting that will be scheduled between March 23 and March 29.