Schools to Stay Open on Election Day

Paramus schools will remain open on Election Day, the decided Monday in a split vote.

The schools serve as polling places for Paramus, and while they normally stay in session on Election Day, the board was weighing whether to close the schools in anticipation of the greater turnout expected in a presidential election or open the schools for a minimum day.

Closing would reduce the school year from 185 to 184 days. State law requires a 180-day year, but Superintendent Joseph Lupo said the five extra days provide a buffer in the event of snow days. 

"We're not sure what next year will bring, but it's always nice to have those days in the bank," Lupo said.

Some board members were concerned about security, given the additional number of voters expected to be in school buildings. Trustee Bernadette McCausland said the district should have additional security on hand to make sure voters don't wander past polling places and further into school buildings.

Parent Rosemary Anzalone echoed those concerns. 

"If we are going to have a minimum school day, then I think we need security in the parking lot," she said.

The administration had hoped to move the polling places out of the schools entirely. Lupo cited security concerns as well as a scarcity of parking at sites like and elementary schools.

Steven Cea, business administrator for the district, to the Bergen County Board of Elections asking if a move would be possible, suggesting as the Life Safety Building, three of the volunteer fire houses the Woman's Club and Petruska Park as alternate sites. But the Bergen County Board of Elections rebuffed the move, suggesting the district could simply close for the day.

Not every board member was on board with moving polling places either.

"I think changing the locations would be very disruptive for folks," said trustee William Holzmann. "They're used to going to a location year after year."

Closing schools on Election Day would make the week of Nov. 5 a two-day week for students, with schools open Monday, closed on Election Day, open on Wednesday and closed Thursday and Friday for a teachers convention. Lupo said attendance would likely be very low in that scenario.

Trustee Sharon Bower said a two-day week wouldn't be "educationally sound."

She joined trustees Joanne Bergmann, Anthony Balastrieri and McCausland in voting to keep schools open. Anthony Feorenzo, Shelia Criscione and Holzmann voted to close the schools on Election Day.