A bill prohibiting school board candidates from cross-filing would help voters make their choices based on the candidates core values, said state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, who introduced the measure.

House Bill 2093 was approved Monday by the State Government Committee and could come up for a vote by the full House this week or its next session starting Jan. 24, she said.

“It eliminates the cross-filing for school board directors,” Mustello said. “I just think it’s important for the voting public to know who they’re voting for.

“Party members have core values. It gives more clarity to the voting public as to who the candidates are and what they represent.”

She said the bill would benefit voters from both parties.

In a memorandum attached to the bill, Mustello said the Pennsylvania Election Code of 1937 allows school board candidates to file nomination petitions for multiple political parties.

Historically, school board positions have been thought of as nonpartisan.

School board members once in office make important decisions about budgets, curriculum materials and textbooks, hiring and evaluating the superintendent and opening and closing school and a growing number of constituents are viewing the positions as partisan.

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