2023-24 Overview

Nominating Petitions for Board of Education Candidates

On May 16, 2023, voters in the Port Washington Union Free School District will have the opportunity to elect two (2) individuals to serve a three-year term each on the district’s Board of Education.  Candidates for the Board of Education run at large (the candidates receiving the most votes win).  The term of office will begin July 1, 2023, and end June 30, 2026.

How to get your Name on the Ballot

In order to appear on the ballot in a school board election, a qualified resident must file a nominating petition with the school District Clerk.  For the May 16, 2023 election, the nominating petition must be signed by at least 63 qualified school district voters (a qualified voter is a resident of the district qualified to vote, not necessarily registered). Each nominating petition must include the full name and residence of the candidate on each page before a qualified voter signs the petition.

Effective now, nominating petition packets are available as follows:  the packet may be 1) picked up at the District Administration Building, 100 Campus Drive, Port Washington, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., on weekdays that school is in session; 2) requested by contacting the school District Clerk by telephone (516-767-5012), or the school’s Deputy District Clerk by telephone (516-767-5002); or 3) requested by emailing the school District Clerk at [email protected], or the school’s Deputy District Clerk at [email protected].

Nominating Petition Filing Deadline

The deadline for filing the nominating petition for the school board election is 30 days before the election.  Nominating petitions for the May 16, 2023 school board election must be filed in the school District Clerk’s office, 100 Campus Drive, Port Washington, no later than 5:00 p.m., April 17, 2023.

Reporting Campaign Expenses and Contributions

Candidates must keep a close eye on their campaign finances.  By state law, a candidate is required to file sworn statements disclosing both their campaign expenditures and contributions received.  Candidates whose campaign expenditures and/or contributions are between $0 to $500 are required to file a sworn statement with the school District Clerk.  Candidates are required by law to file an itemized sworn statement with the school District Clerk *and* with the New York State Commissioner of Education if 1) their total campaign expenditures exceed $500, or 2) their expenditures plus the expenditures of others on the candidate’s behalf made with the candidate’s approval exceed $500 (note: donors may make expenditures of up to $25 without the candidate’s permission if the donor files a sworn statement with the school District Clerk and the Commissioner of Education stating that the candidate did not approve the expenditure), or 3) their total campaign contributions received exceed $500.

Campaign expense/contribution statement forms are included in the nominating petition packet provided to candidates.  A candidate must file the appropriate sworn statement as follows: 1) 30 days before the date of the school board election, *and* 2) within five days before the school board election, *and* 3) within 20 days after the school board election.

School Board Member Qualifications

A Board of Education member:

• 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 according to state law;
• 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 school board members.

School 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.

School Board Member Time Commitments

The Port Washington UFSD Board of Education conducts one to two regular business meetings per month, which usually include an Executive Session prior to the start of the regular business meeting, and sometimes immediately at the conclusion of a regular business meeting.  Special meetings may be scheduled in certain circumstances.  In addition, Board members are assigned to various committees that meet on a variable schedule; historically, each committee meets once a month during the school year.  Board members are responsible for coming to board meetings prepared to participate and having reviewed necessary materials.  Attending district events to support the school community is encouraged when possible.

School 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.

Additional information about school board service can be found on the New York State School Boards Association website at http://www.nyssba.org/experience