By By RANDI K. PICKLEY / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Under the new election consolidation law, the date set for school board elections has been changed from the second Monday in June to the first Tuesday in May. This year the election is May 3 with the polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ruth Harte, Niles City Clerk, will be in charge of all the Niles Community School elections, as designated by the new law.
In addition, there will be a change for some voters as to where they will vote. The district includes eight different municipalities, including the townships.
According to Harte, to help clarify the polling locations, voters will receive voter ID cards informing them of their school polling place. Harte said the cards are scheduled to be received no later than Monday, May 2.
The change in polling places will affect some voters. The polling place will be listed on the voter ID cards. The following reference may be of help if the ID card is delayed:
Precinct 1:
The polling place for Howard Township PCT. 1 with 1,581 voters, and Pokagon Township PCT. 1 with 496 voters, will be located at the Howard Township Hall at 1345 Barron Lake Road.
Precinct 2:
Howard Township PCT. 2 with 1,467 voters, and Howard Township PCT. 3 with 1094 voters, will also vote at the Howard Township Hall.
Precinct 3:
Niles City PCT. 1 with 1920 voters, will vote at Niles High School at 1441 Eagle Street.
Precinct 4:
Niles City PCT. 2 with 2,220 voters, will vote at Eastside School at 314 N. 14th St.
Precinct 5::
Niles City PCT. 3 with 2,089 voters, will be at the Niles City Fire Station at 1345 E. Main.
Precinct 6:
Niles City PCT. 4 with 2,339 voters, and Bertrand Township PCT. 1 with 325 voters, will go to the Westside Administration Building.
Precinct 7:
Niles Township PCT. 2 with 1,544 voters, will meet at Oak Manor School at 1 Tyler St.
Precinct 8:
Niles Township PCT. 1 with 1,405 voters, Niles Township PCT. 5 with 1,234 voters, and Berrien Township PCT. 1 with 209 voters, will be at the Morris Farms Fire Station at 2001 Morris Drive.
The total number of registered voters is 17,953. Those who have registered are encouraged to take the time to vote during this important election. Absentee ballots may be obtained from Ruth Harte at the Niles City Hall.
According to Doug Law, superintendent of the Niles Community Schools, under the changes in the election law, the cost to the schools in running the elections has increased. The City Clerk must now be paid for the addition to her work load, there is more cost for adding extra polling places, along with the costs of mailing the ID cards.
The state has mandated that each county list four scheduled election dates. The three remaining dates scheduled for Berrien County are the first Tuesday after the first Monday in August which will be the primary, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November which is a general election, and the first Tuesday in February which is open at this time.
Non-Homestead Property Tax
As part of Proposal A, which was passed by the voters of Michigan in 1994, all districts are required to pass a non-homestead property tax of 18 mills. This is a tax on all businesses, all second homes, and some non-exempt agricultural land. This tax does not affect the homeowner in our district.
The state requires that the voters pass this tax and that the full 18 mills be collected annually. If the voters do not pass the tax the school district would not be able to operate next year.
The ballot language is designed so that voters will not have to vote on this for two years.
School Board Seat
There is one seat open on the Niles Community School Board of Education. Running for election are incumbent Jerry French, Michael Gordon and Toby Mitchell.
Brandywine
In the Brandywine School District when voters head to the polls on May 3 they will be electing two new school board members, to a four year term that expires in 2009. Voters who live in Milton Township will also be voting for a Southwestern Michigan College proposal.
Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Merritt Elementary School located at 2428 S. 13th St. in Niles.
School Board Seat
There are two seats open for the Brandywine School Board of Education. Running are incumbent Phil Bozung and Dennis Hinsey,