School Committee Elections

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31982, 8 May 1969, Page 14

School Committee Elections

Sir, —I feel it is a pity the Education Board did not publicise, rules and regulations covering the recent School Committee elections. Would the board comment on the following questions, which have caused a lot of confusion in some minds? 1. Is it possible, for a candidate, not present at the meeting (and presumably not having signed a proposal form) to be elected? 2. This particular school has pupils attending who come from three distinct areas. Some residents were under the impression, that they should vote for only those candidates representing their area. Is this correct? 3. Is it correct that only ratepayers are entitled to cast a vote at these biennial elections?— Yours, etc., TAI TAPU. May 5, 1969. [Mr W. P. Spencer, secre-tary-manager of the Canterbury Education Board, replies: “General rules for guidance at biennial elections of school committees are issued to the chairman of each committee and the points raised by your correspondent could be readily clarified by reference to these. Specific answers to the questions raised are: (1) Yes, provided the candidate has consented to his nomination in writing or verbally to the chairman of the meeting; (2) Not correct. There is no provision for area representation on school committees and school districts are not divided into wards; (3) Not correct. Householders, as. defined by the Education Act 1964, are eligible to vote. Broadly, these are adult residents of the school district or parents or guardians of pupils attending the school, wherever resident.”]