While Election Day is Tuesday, November 2, mail-in voting has been underway for several weeks in New Jersey. In Livingston, we have one local race. Three candidates – Jenissa Arnette, James Calderón, and incumbent Pamela Chirls – are running for two open seats on the Livingston Public Schools Board of Education.In this era of mail-in voting, when many (if not the majority) who vote will do so prior to Election Day, a traditional endorsement of a candidate or candidates does not hold as much weight as it once did. Typically, the Tribune offered its opinions on the local candidates each year in the issue just prior to Election Day; however, nowadays, such an opinion would offer little help to the many who had already cast their ballots.So, allow us to discuss this race with a bit more time remaining for prospective voters. While we understand that many have already voted, we have heard from quite a few readers who have been holding onto their ballots, their votes still undetermined.There are several reasons we feel compelled to support the incumbent candidate on the ballot, Pam Chirls. She offers stability and many years of experience; if one has been a fan of how Livingston Public Schools, and the Board of Education, has operated in recent years, then a vote for her is a vote for that to continue. We feel that her stewardship is an asset to the Board; the school district would be well-served to have her continue for another three-year term.This is especially true given the recent retirement of Buddy August, and the upcoming retirement of Ronnie Konner, two longstanding Board members who are stepping down in consecutive years. Turning over so much of the Board so quickly would be a mistake, one that might prevent the Board from taking a wealth of institutional knowledge, and lessons that have been learned, to improve the future of the school district.It should be mentioned, as well, that focusing solely on the endorsement letters we have received (which certainly does not represent the entire voting community, but is worthy of consideration nonetheless), Chirls appears to have immense support.Still, while we believe that there is much to champion in our schools (which is due, in part, to those who help it operate, like the members of the Board of Education), that does not mean our school district is perfect. Surely, there are things that ...
