A candidate for each place on the board of education shall be at least 21 years of age, a registered voter, a resident of the board of education district which he or she seeks to represent on the board for at least six months immediately preceding the deadline date for qualifying as a candidate, and shall not be an employee of the board or have a record of conviction for any crime involving moral turpitude. Each candidate shall pay a qualifying fee in an amount equal to that paid for candidates for general municipal elections.