Filing deadline nears for school board openings

Those interested in running for their local school boards have until Thursday to file a declaration of intent.

Forty-five seats are up for grabs on Flathead County’s 19 school boards. Most positions are for full, three-year terms, but there are some shorter terms up for election.

If more than one person runs for a school board position, districts will hold trustee elections May 3. If only one person is in the running for a position, that person will be elected by acclamation April 7.

Would-be trustees must file their declarations of intent to run with schools by Thursday afternoon. Contact schools to find out how late school offices are open.

Following is a list of open school board positions in each Flathead County school district.

Bigfork

n Two three-year elementary positions, currently held by Doug Fraley and Paul Sandry.

n One three-year high school position, held now by Dave Carlson.

Cayuse Prairie

n Two three-year seats, held now by Pam Skonord and Dan Diehl.

n One three-year term, currently held by Allison Bailey.

Columbia Falls

n Three three-year terms, held now by Dean Chisholm, Darrell Newby and Scott Emmerich.

Creston

n Two three-year positions, filled now by Shannon Kimball and Peggy Hinckle.

Deer Park

n Two three-year terms, held by Gary Anderson and Cindy Barnes.

Evergreen

n Two three-year seats, currently held by Jon Wilson Sr. and Jim Waggener.

Fair-Mont-Egan

n Two three-year positions, held by Dennis Burton and Jeff Wilson.

Helena Flats

n Two three-year terms, filled now by Kari Macken and Shawn Boelman.

Kalispell

n Two three-year elementary positions, held now by Bette Albright and Alice Ritzman.

n One two-year elementary position, currently held by Frank Miller.

n Two three-year high school terms, one representing Evergreen and Helena Flats (held by Joe Krueger), and one representing Marion, Olney-Bissell, Pleasant Valley, Smith Valley and West Valley.

Kila

n Two three-year terms, held by Royal Osterday and Cynthia Frech.

n One one-year seat, currently held by Angie Giles.

Marion

n One three-year position, held by Sarah Robinson.

Olney-Bissell

n Two three-year positions, held by John Piedmonte and Tony Hagadone.

Pleasant Valley

n One three-year term, held by Bud Salyer.

n One two-year seat, currently filled by Janet Monk.

n One one-year position, held by Ann Marie Becker.

Smith Valley

n One three-year position, held by Christy Berry.

n Two one-year terms, held by Duane Dierenfield and Jerry Snell.

Somers-Lakeside

n One three-year seat, held by Alice Blasdel.

Swan River

n Two three-year positions, currently filled by Tamus Gannon and Michael Wynne.

West Glacier

n One three-year term, held by Carla Martin.

West Valley

n One three-year seat, held by Rochelle Nicholson.

n One one-year position, currently filled by Cory Hill.

Whitefish

n Three three-year terms held by Dave Fern, Eric Hosek and Brian McDowell.