New Jersey school boards are being told they need to act quickly if they want to move school elections from April to November as allowed under a new state law. Boards or other municipal governing bodies must pass a resolution to make the change.

And guidance issued Thursday by the state Education Department says they should do so by Feb. 17, about three weeks from now, if they want to switch dates starting this year.

They say taking action by then will avoid unnecessary expenses and provide due notice to anyone interested in filing a nomination  petition for an April election.

The Education Department says it worked with elections officials and the Attorney General's office to come up with the target date since the law did not set a deadline.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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