MOORPARK : School Election Rescheduling OKd
In an effort to cut costs and increase voter turnout, the Moorpark Unified School District decided this week to hold school board elections in the same years as general elections.
Following a trend among school boards around Ventura County, Moorpark school board members Tuesday approved moving the elections from odd- to even-numbered years.
Less than 20% of Moorpark’s registered voters have turned out for recent board elections, compared with 50% to 60% participating in general elections, said school board member Sam K. Nainoa, who proposed the change.
In addition, the district would save an estimated $4,500 for each election by sharing ballot-printing costs with candidates for other offices, Nainoa said.
Under state law, the change will automatically extend the terms of board members by one year: Pamela Castro and Nainoa would serve until 1994, and Tom Baldwin, Gregory J. Barker and Clint Harper would instead be up for reelection in 1996.
The boards of the Conejo Valley and Fillmore unified school districts recently changed their election dates to even-numbered years, officials said.
Moorpark’s change must still be approved by county supervisors.
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