Filing deadlines for school board nearing

— Since the Decatur School District has recovered from fiscal distress and will be regaining local control, all five school board positions will be up for election in September.

Superintendent LeRoy Ortman has been reminding the community about the need for qualified school board members for more than a year. Now that the period when school board candidates can circulate election petitions has already begun and filing deadlines are less than a month away, Ortman is urging interested residents to file for the election.

“It is just essential that there be names on the ballots. If there aren't, I'm not sure exactly what happens," he said.

According to Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniel’s Web site, school board elections will be held on Sept. 21, and the voter registration deadline for the school election is Aug. 22.

The school district is divided into five geographical zones, and one resident from each zone will be elected to the board, Ortman said. In order to be eligible for the position, one must be a qualified voter residing in the school district and inside the respective zone. One must not be an employee of the district but can have a family member working for the school, according to the Arkansas School Board Association.

Candidates must file for the election during a one-week period 60 days before the election - Aug. 19 through 23. To file for the office, candidates must visit the county clerk’s office and get an information packet and petition. They may begin circulating a petition on June23 and must collect at least 20 signatures from qualified voters who live in their respective zone, Ortman said.

School board members serve five-year terms, Ortman said. Their responsibilities include attending monthly meetings, serving as the governing and policy making body of the school district, according to the Arkansas School Board Association’s Web site. They are responsible for making sure the district is in compliance with federal and state laws and regulation from the Arkansas Department of Education. They also hire a competent superintendent, are advocates for children and schools and work with the community to increase student achievement, the Web site states.

School board members are expected to understand and approve the district’s budget, review financial statements, share responsibility for fiscal accountability, facilities and student academic achievement, meet high ethical standards and obey state laws regarding nepotism, acceding to the Arkansas School Board Association.

To find more detailed information online, visit the Arkansas School Board Association’s Web site, www.asba. org, or download a copy of “Running for Public Office,” at the Secretary of State’s Web site, www.sosweb. state. ar.us.

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 06/30/2010