Decatur's polls could remain closed Sept. 20

— The Decatur polling site may be closed for the Sept. 20 school board election since there is only one uncontested school board candidate and no millage rate changes or other ballot issues.

The Decatur School Board passed a resolution on Monday night officially requesting the county board of election commissioners not to open any polling places in Decatur. If the request is approved, the election will be conducted by absentee ballot and early voting.

The school will save about $3,000 by keeping the polling places closed, district treasurer Terri Burden estimated.

School board member Kevin Smith, who was appointed to his positionrepresenting Zone 3 last year, is the only candidate to file for election in Decatur. No candidates filed for the open Zone 1 position currently held by Justin Thompson.

Chris James, election supervisor at the Benton County Clerk's Office, said that Thompson will continue to serve in his position until the next election unless he chooses to resign.

The board also voted to hire an additional kindergarten teacher to staff a third kindergarten classroom to accommodate a large number of new students. When enrollment numbers are gelled after the first few weeks of school, an additional third grade teacher could also be required, elementary principal Leslie Sharp reported.

High school principal Bobby King reported a busy first day of school with about the same number of students enrolled as at the end of last year. King also reported a large number of parents in attendance at the high school open house on Thursday night.

News, Pages 1 on 08/17/2011