The Kinnelon Board of Education did not yet decide whether to move their school board member election to November, but invited the public to discuss the issue at Thursday's meeting.

The board has until Feb. 17 to make a decision. Neighboring school district Butler has already approved the change. Aside from a couple of questions from the audience, no one-from the public or the board-spoke in favor or against the measure, which would also allow the district to eliminate a vote on their budget so long as it is within the state-mandated 2 percent tax levy cap.

Opiekun said the district has already been developing budgets that are under the 2 percent cap for the past several years. In the past five years, the district's budget only exceeded the cap twice, he said. Board Vice President Keith Dama said the district has tried to remain consistent with the cap over time.

"Over the past three years, our total budget is about flat," he said.

One positive thing that could come out of moving the election is that "it will definitely improve participation," Opiekun said. Opiekun described an "unbelievable energy cycle" that board members endure when trying to rally support for the budget, or even to have voters turn out. The communication push traditionally included in the budget process, which involves public presentations, will still need to be done, Opiekun said.

Opiekun said one of the concerns of his, and other administrators statewide, is the political aspect of tying the school board election to the general election. 

"(We) try and make the board process less political," he said.

Opiekun also said some members of the public may prefer to be able to vote on the budget.

"There are people that really think they should have the ability to exercise their vote on the school budget," he said.

If the board does decide to move the election, the decision will be in effect for a four-year period, although Opiekun said he was unsure whether the board could decide later on to opt in to the November election if they choose not to this year.

As for school board members, Opiekun said if the election is moved, seated board members would be held over until November and then those elected would be sworn in in January.