Filing opens July 6 for school board, community college board races

Filing for a position on local school or community college boards began Monday and all Montgomery County school boards have vacancies.

Locally, board members are eligible to file for re-election and other interested individuals can file for board positions until 5 p.m. July 30.

In Red Oak, Elizabeth Dilley, Warren Hayes and Rod DeFries’ terms are expiring.

In Stanton, three members’ terms are expiring, David Bruning, Mark Lindgren and Doug Maher.

Marvin Smith and Dan Sorensen have completed their terms as Villisca’s board members and will decide whether or not to run for re-election.

Individuals interested may acquire filing papers from the board secretaries at the local school or at the auditor’s office. A term lasts for four years and a board member is not paid to fulfill his or her duties.

Each candidate must receive at least one percent of the qualified electors in the district, or 50 electors, whichever is less. No candidate will be considered for election with less than 10 signatures.

Board members’ responsibilities include accountability for student learning, setting educational goals and policy and overseeing school finances.

Approximately 2,000 men and women serve as board members in the 362 school districts across Iowa. Boards also serve the 15 community colleges within the state.

Board secretaries are required to turn papers in on July 31, to Joni Ernst, Montgomery County Auditor.

Iowa’s school board election after the one this fall will be in 2011.

Of the eight board members with Southwestern Community College, five positions are open. In Creston, Mary Jo Skarda, board secretary, has the papers that she will submit to the Montgomery County auditor’s office on July 31.

No other elections will be on the September ballot, according to auditor Joni Ernst.