GILROY
– The filing period for November’s school board election
officially opened today, but some trustees and candidates are
worried a steep candidate statement fee will adversely affect the
election.
By Lori Stuenkel
GILROY – The filing period for November’s school board election officially opened today, but some trustees and candidates are worried a steep candidate statement fee will adversely affect the election.
The $1,710 charge to file a 200-word statement in the Nov. 2 ballot is nearly triple what it was during the last election two years ago and, some say, could put candidates who can’t afford it at a disadvantage, or even deter people from running for one of the three seats up for grabs.
During an orientation Thursday for those considering a school board candidacy, jaws dropped when Trustee Jim Rogers mentioned the fee to the five people in attendance.
“I was really shocked,” said Rhoda Bress, a district parent who said she is considering a run for school board. “I think it’s an exorbitant fee and it will put people at a disadvantage for financial reasons.”
But the high fee won’t be a factor in whether she decides to run, Bress said.
Board President Jaime Rosso said he thinks the expense will discourage some people from running. Rosso is up for re-election and said he will pursue a second term.
Even if the expensive fee does not affect a candidate’s decision to run, Trustee Bob Kraemer said, it certainly could discourage the choice to file a statement.
“That fee is expensive,0 and I’m not really sure that one should have to spend $1,700 in order to run,” said Kraemer, also up for re-election in November, although he has not decided whether he’ll pursue another term. He has served on the board since 1999.
During Thursday’s meeting, Rogers pointed out that, in the 2002 election, six candidates were vying for four seats. The two who did not file a statement lost the election.
“That doesn’t seem fair to me, that it’s sort of a restrictive thing and at $1,700 it could be even more restrictive,” he said.
Nevertheless, Trustee John Gurich, who also will run to keep his seat, said he didn’t file a statement in 2000 and ended up winning. He says he won’t pay for a statement in the ballot this year, either.
“If you just put your name, it doesn’t cost you anything,” he said. “We spend so much money being on the board, really, that little stipend we make is gone every month, so I’m not going to do it.”
Trustees receive a roughly $240 monthly stipend, if they attend all regular meetings.
The candidate statement fee – which trustees say cost $600 in 2002 and $300 in 2000 – first raised eyebrows during a June board meeting. Trustees, surprised by the $1,700 price tag, voted to continue the precedent of having the candidates cover the fee, 5-1, with Rogers dissenting and TJ Owens absent.
The cost of filing a statement is set by the county. County representatives could not be reached before press time Monday.
Rosso wondered how the price could increase so much in two years.
“Really, the cost to the county has got to be a minimal difference, (between) putting the candidate’s name and adding the copy (for a statement),” he said.
One way to even the playing field between candidates, Rogers said, would be for all those who file to boycott the 200-word ballot statement and find another method for distributing their platform. Kraemer said he could be willing to support such a boycott.
Some said that would be a disservice to the public.
“It’s not informing the public to help them make a good decision,” Rosso said. “For major candidates, I can understand, but for local races – where sometimes people don’t even spend that on a campaign – I think it’s very unfortunate.”
“I think a lot of people use that statement at the last minute to figure out who to vote for, so I think you don’t really have a choice but to find a way to pay for it,” said Bob Heisey, a GUSD parent who attended Thursday’s meeting.
Heisey said he hasn’t yet decided whether he will run but that the fee will not factor into his decision.
“I think I could raise that money somehow,” Heisey said.
Bress agreed.
“I think it really works against a candidate if they don’t file a statement, and I wouldn’t want to put myself at a disadvantage,” Bress said.
Others at the meeting said they attended to get more information about the school board and this November’s election, but were not seriously considering a candidacy.
GUSD parent Robert Bickle also has indicated he will run, but could not be reached by press time Monday.
Those who want to serve on the school board have until Aug. 6 to file, unless an incumbent does not file, in which case the deadline is extended until Aug. 11.
Rogers, along with district officials Thursday, laid out the responsibilities of a school board member during his or her four-year term.
Besides two regular meetings each month, the board schedules joint meetings with City Council and the Gavilan College Board of Trustees once or twice each year. Adding in study sessions, GUSD trustees attended more than 40 meetings last year.
“I was a little surprised at how many meetings there actually were,” Heisey said.
