DECATUR — The filing deadline for school board elections is Friday, and so far three community members have filed to run for one of the five seats.
As of Tuesday morning, Aaron Owens had filed a petition to run for zone two, Darleen Holly had filed a petition for zone four and Ikie L. Owens had filed a petition for zone five, according to the Benton County Clerk's Office. No candidates had filed for positions one or three.
If no one files from zones one and three, the remaining school board members will be able to appoint members for those two zones because they will have a majority, Gayle Marris of the Arkansas Department of Education said after consulting with staff attorneys.
If only two school board members were elected, and a majority was not reached, the county quorum court would be responsible for appointing school board members, she said.
School board members serve five-year terms and are expected to meet monthly. School board elections will be held on Sept. 21, and the voter registration deadline for the school election is Aug. 22, according to Secretary of State Charlie Daniel’s Web site.
The district is divided into five geographical zones, and one resident from each zone will be elected to the board. Candidates may file during a one week period between July 19 and 23. To file for the office, candidates must visit the county clerk’s office and get an information packet and petition. They must collect at least 20 signatures from qualified voters who live in their respective zone.
Information packets, filing requirements and forms are available at the Benton County Clerk’s office in Bentonville at 215 E. Central Avenue, Suite 217; in Rogers at 300 W. Poplar Street, Suite 2; or in Siloam Springs at 707 S. Lincoln Street, Suite C. Candidates are urged to pick up their packets in person so they can be given further instructions.
News, Pages 1 on 07/21/2010