Write-ins may decide Sioux Central board seats

The Sioux Central School Board has two of its five seats open in September, but no one has stepped forward to offer themselves as a candidate for either position.

Announcing they would not seek re-election to the Sioux Central school board were standing board members, Kevin Ehlers and Sara Fassler. Ehlers had served three terms with the board, and Fassler was elected in the fall of 2006.

Nomination papers for open seats had to be filed by July 30 -- but no papers were requested or filed.

Write-in candidates are still a possibility, according to the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB). Space must be provided on election ballots for write-in candidates. The write-in candidate is not required to file a nomination petition. IASB recommends that write-in candidates conduct public and open campaigns to make their views and positions known throughout the community before the election. If a write-in is elected, it must be determined whether the individual is willing and eligible to serve.

Any person who is a United States citizen, 18 years of age or older, a resident of the school district, and is eligible to be registered to vote may become a candidate for the school board.

The person must live in the appropriate director district. The Sioux Central Community School District is divided into director districts, so the board members in those seats must live in the districts they represent. District 2 covers Brooke and Douglas Townships and includes the town of Linn Grove. District 3 extends from the southern border of Sioux Rapids south toward Highway 3 and includes the town of Rembrandt.

If the individual elected meets the eligibility criteria and is willing to serve, then the individual is sworn in at the organizational meeting, which is expected to be held Monday, Sept. 21.

If there is no write-in or an individual written in is unwilling to serve, the Sioux Central board will declare the position vacant at the organizational meeting. The board then has 30 days to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. An individual appointed then serves until the next school election.

If the person with the most votes chooses not to serve, the position does not go to the next highest vote-getter. Instead the seat is declared vacant.

School board elections will take place Sept. 8.

Starting this year, school board members will be elected to serve four-year terms. Beginning with this fall's 2009 election, elections will take place in odd-numbered years. Previously, school board members were elected to three-year terms.

Those elected receive no pay.