The New Paltz Central School District received just one petition for three open seats on the board of education by last week’s deadline.
Two sitting members of the school board are at the end of their terms, and just one, Jason Clark, is seeking reelection. Board president Matthew Williams decided against running for another term.
Until a few weeks ago, the third vacant seat on the board of education was filled by Glenn LaPolt, a longtime incumbent who cruised to reelection last year with 829 votes, 245 more than the next closest candidate. LaPolt resigned on Friday, April 11; his departure was announced at the school board meeting held on Tuesday, April 22. LaPolt was the chair of the board’s facilities committee.
Petitions for trustees were due in the district headquarters on Monday, April 21, and at the school board meeting the following evening, superintendent Stephen Gratto expressed surprise at the lack of interest.
“Well, yesterday was an interesting day because we were on the edge of our seats to see how many candidates we would get for our three vacant board positions,” he said. “And the answer is one. “It’s an experience I’ve never had before. We have one candidate who’s running, an incumbent, and two of the seats are empty.”
While Clark will be the only name on the ballot next month, Gratto said the other two seats will be filled by the highest vote of eligible candidates who are willing to take on the role.
“Write-in ballots take on a whole new meaning for this election,” he said. “Keep that in mind.”
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