Council tables resolution backing bill to move school board elections to November

The St. Charles County Council debated but ultimately tabled a resolution expressing support for Senate Bill 839, which would move local school board elections to the November general election and require candidates to declare party affiliation.

Public comments on Resolution 26‑02 were sharply divided. Supporters such as Vivian Gontars and Ken Gontas urged the council to back the bill, citing low turnout in April elections and arguing that moving elections to November would increase voter participation and produce school boards that reflect broader community views. "Why wouldn't you have elections in November if greater representation of our voters would be realized?" Ken Gontas said.

Opponents framed the measure as politicizing local boards. Jane Pushkar, a Francis Howell School Board member, said low turnout does not necessarily mean the timing is the problem and warned about forcing school board members to declare partisan affiliations. "The role of a school board member ... should be to be a voice for every student regardless of where they stand on the political spectrum," she said.

Council members also expressed differing views. Councilwoman York said she would vote no, calling local boards traditionally nonpartisan and questioning the need for change. Councilman Baker and others cited the low April turnout (13–16%) as justification for moving the date and said their priority was increasing participation.

Councilmembers debated which state bill to endorse — SB 839 (sponsored by Senator Serpods in discussion) vs. other bills moving April elections — and whether to include partisanship language. After the discussion a motion to table the resolution carried, leaving the county without an official position pending further review.

The tabling preserves council members’ ability to revisit the issue with clarified language or to endorse a different state proposal in a future meeting.