Filing underway for school board elections

The filing deadline for people interested in becoming a school board trustee candidate is approaching.

The deadline to file paperwork to appear on the ballot is March 25. This includes a declaration of intent and oath of candidacy.

April 1 is the deadline for a write-in candidate to file a declaration of intent. This is also the last day candidates may withdraw from the election.

Paperwork may be obtained and returned to a candidate’s respective school district. Candidates must be registered voters living in the school district they wish to serve.

School elections will be held May 4. If the number of candidates after April 2 is equal to or less than the number of openings on a school board, districts may cancel trustee elections and qualified candidates will be seated by acclamation.

Trustees are volunteers representing the public who are responsible for making decisions that impact how schools operate and are held accountable. Duties include but are not limited to setting achievement goals and reviewing and adopting policies, annual budgets and educational programs.

Following is a list of openings in each district and locations to file paperwork:

• Bigfork has one three-year term open representing the elementary. There is also a high school trustee opening representing Swan River Elementary. File paperwork at the district office, 600 Commerce St., Bigfork. For more information call 837-7400.

• Cayuse Prairie has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the district clerk’s office, 897 Lake Blaine Road. For more information call 756-4560.

• Columbia Falls has two three-year terms. File paperwork at the district office, 501 Sixth Ave. W. For more information call 892-6550.

• Creston has one three-year term and one two-year term open. Paperwork may be filed at the school office, 4495 Montana 35. For more information call 755-2859.

• Deer Park has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the school, 2105 Middle Road. For more information call 892-5388.

• Evergreen has one three-year term open. File paperwork at the district office, 18 W. Evergreen Dr. For more information call 751-1111.

• Fair-Mont-Egan has one three-year term open. File paperwork at the school, 797 Fairmont Road. For more information call 755-2038.

• Flathead Valley Community College has two three-year terms open. The college is located at 777 Grandview Drive. For more information call 756-3801.

• Helena Flats has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the district office, 1000 Helena Flats Road. For more information call 257-2301.

• Kalispell has three three-year terms and a one-year term open in the elementary district. In the high school district, there is one three-year term open representing Cayuse Prairie, Creston, Deer Park and Fair-Mont-Egan. File paperwork at 233 First Ave. E. For more information call 751-3412.

• Kila has one three-year term open. File paperwork at 395 Kila Road. For more information call 257-2428.

• Marion has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the school, 205 Gopher Lane. For more information call 854-2333.

• Olney-Bissell has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the school, 5955 Farm to Market Road. For more information call 862-2828.

• Pleasant Valley has one three-year term open. File paperwork at the school, 7975 Pleasant Valley Road. For more information call 858-2343.

• Smith Valley has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the office, 2901 U.S. 2 W. For more information call 756-4535.

• Somers-Lakeside has two three-year terms open. File paperwork with the district clerk at 315 School Addition Road in Somers. For more information call 406-857-3661.

• Swan River has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the school, 1205 Swan Highway. For more information call 406-837-4528.

• West Glacier has one three-year term open. File paperwork at 160 Old River Bridge Road. For more information call 888-5312.

• West Valley has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the school, 2290 Farm to Market Road. For more information call 755-7239.

• Whitefish has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the district office, 600 E. Second St. For more information call 406-862-8643.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.