Withdrawal request came too late

GENTRY -- A decision to withdraw from the Gentry School Board race was too late to stop the election, and the names of incumbent Clarence Kreger and contender Nikki Rayburn-Still will both be on the ballot for the Sept. 15 school election.

According to Randy Barrett, Gentry School District superintendent, he received notification on the afternoon of Aug. 17 from Nikki Rayburn-Still of her desire to withdraw from the race for the Zone 3 post (a five-year term). Barrett said her desire to withdraw didn't mean she wasn't interested in serving to help meet the educational needs of children within the district; it was because she was more interested in serving in other volunteer capacities.

The school board on Aug. 17 voted to cancel holding the election at local poling places if that could still be done since the race would have been uncontested and the district was not asking for an increase in millage rates.

However, Barrett reported on Aug. 18 that it was too late to cancel the local election because ballots were already printed and the election scheduled. According to an email to board members from Barrett, he was informed that a candidate may only withdraw during the filing period.

What does that mean for the election? Barrett said voters could choose to elect Kreger or Rayburn-Still. If Rayburn-Still would be elected, she could serve or she could resign. If she were elected and resigned, the school board would appoint someone to fill the board post for one year, until the next school election.

"That person could be Mr. Kreger but would not have to be," Barrett explained.

General News on 08/26/2015