SIBLEY, Iowa -- As July is now more than half gone and August is peeking over the horizon, many parents may be counting down the days until school starts. For others, the countdown has already began for school board elections
Candidates have until July 30 to make their intentions known and get their names on September’s ballot. Every school district in Iowa has a school board comprised of elected citizens who volunteer their time to oversee the operations of the district.
According to Sibley-Ocheyedan Superintendent Bill Boer, the five major roles of the Board of Education are setting the district’s direction, evaluating programs, hiring the superintendent, police development and serving as advocates for children.
Sibley-Ocheyedan has a five-member board, with each member elected from a director district. During this year’s election, two seats are open -- that of Kyle Grimes from District 2 and Dan Berkland from District 5. Both are four-year terms.
Individuals mulling a run for a school board post have multiple ways of learning about the position, said Boer.
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“There are a couple of resources available to individuals considering board service that introduces board membership,” he said. “The Iowa Association of School Boards has a ‘So you want to be a board member?’ video available on their website.”
The Iowa Association of School Board’s website is ia-sb.org .
“I have also prepared a brochure that describes the role of the board, a short introductory explanation of school finances, the committees that the Sibley-Ocheyedan board utilizes, et cetera,” he added. “These brochures are available at the superintendent’s office. Both of these resources would be beneficial to individuals considering running for a seat on the Board of Education.”
Potential candidates will need to file nomination papers with Kindra Reiter, board secretary for the district, before 5 p.m. July 30.
Candidates who wish to run for school board must:
be United States citizens,
be residents of Iowa, and
be at least 18 years old.
They must not:
be convicted felons, unless voting rights have been restored,
be currently judged incompetent to vote by a court, or
claim the right to vote in any other place.
Boer said whether or not the candidate has children in the district does not affect his or her ability to run for a school board position. Essentially, an interest in improving the school district is the main requirement..
“Each community is rich in potential candidates who would make a positive difference in public education,” Boer said. “Public education is a promise to our children -- a promise that they will be prepared for the challenge of being responsible citizens of our society.”
Although the candidates in this election must reside in either District 2 or 5, all registered voters in the school district will have an opportunity to vote in the election, according to Rochelle VanTilburg of the Osceola County Auditor’s office. The election will take place Sept. 8.
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Dates to remember
July 30: Last day to file nomination papers with the board secretary
July 31: Board secretary must deliver nominations to county auditor’s office
Aug. 4: Last day a candidate may withdraw from the election, and last day written objections to nomination papers or eligibility of a candidate may be filed
Sept. 8: School election day
Sept. 13: Canvassing of election
