DECATUR — Since the Arkansas State Board of Education removed the Decatur School District from fiscal distress at its January meeting and laid plans to reinstate local control by Oct. 1, it’s now certain school board elections will be held in Decatur this September.
During the past several town hall meetings, superintendentBy Janelle Jessen Staff Writer janellej@nwanews comLeRoy Ortman has been urging community members to start thinking about people who would be interested in running for school board positions.
Because the school board was absolved by the state Board of Education in July of 2008, all five positions will be up for election. According to Arkansas Secretary of State Charlie Daniel’s Web site, school board elections will be held on Sept. 21 in 2010 and the voter registration deadlinefor the school election is Aug. 22.
School board members serve five-year terms, according to Benton County Clerk Tena O’Brien. In order to be eligible to run for a school board position, one must be a qualified voter residing in the school district and inside the respective zone, according to the Arkansas School Board Association. One must notbe an employee of the district, but can have a family member working for the school.
Candidates must file for the election with the county clerks office during a one-week period ending at noon 60 days before the election.
Those interested in running for the position can visit the county clerk’s office to get an information packet and petition. Candidates are required to circulate a petition no earlier than 90 days prior to the election to gather signatures from registered voters who are residents of the district and the respective electoral zone. They also have to complete an affidavit of eligibility and a political practices pledge in the county clerk’s office, O’Brien said.
School board members generally meet once a month and serve as the governing and policy-making body of the school district, according to the School Board Association’s Web site. They are responsible for making sure the district is in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations from the Arkansas Department of Education, hiring a competent superintendent, being advocates for schools and children, working with the community and increasing student achievement.
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, according to the Web site.
School board members are required to receive nine hours of training within the first 15 months after their election and six hours of training every year thereafter.
The newly elected school board members in Decatur will also be required to complete 30 hours of specialized training from the Arkansas Department of Education before they can take the reins on Oct. 1, Ortman said.
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 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 the packets in person so they can be given further instructions.
News, Pages 1 on 02/03/2010