Four local public school districts have set their candidate filing schedules to begin in December.
Those wishing to run for school board must be U.S. citizens, resident taxpayers of their district, residents of Missouri for at least one year and at least 24 years old. They must also be eligible to hold office, having no felony record, and cannot be registered or required to be registered as a sex offender. Candidates must also attest they are not delinquent on their taxes.
In general, board members serve three-year terms and can file to run again at the expiration of their terms.
Cole County R-1 School District
Cole R-1 will accept applications beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday at central office, 13600 Route C, Russellville. Filing will remain open from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Except for the first and last days of filing, filing will not occur on days when school is closed due to weather. There will also be no filing on Dec. 23, 24 and 25. Filing ends at 5 p.m. Dec. 27.
Three three-year positions are available. Board members with terms expiring this year are: Adam Weber, Aaron Wyss and Ritchie Jenkins.
Cole County R-5 School District
Cole R-5 will accept applications beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday at the administrative office at Eugene and will continue from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The office will close beginning at noon Dec. 22 and will reopen from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 27 for the final day of filing. Applications can be obtained at the office during filing hours or by appointment from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. when school is in session.
Three positions with three-year terms are available; additionally one position with a one-year term is available. The one-year term is due to the resignation of Sarah Strobel before her term could be completed. Deanna Smith was selected by the board to replace Strobel until the April election. Candidates may declare on their filing paperwork whether they would like to appear on the ballot for the one-year position or the three-year positions. Other board members with terms expiring are Spencer Hoskins, Derek Sommerer and Matt Hale.
Blair Oaks School District
Blair Oaks will accept applications from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Dec. 9, as well as Dec. 12-16 and 19-20. It will also accept applications from 8 a.m.-noon Dec. 21; the final day of filing will run from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 28. Forms can be obtained at the district office, 6209 Route B, Wardsville.
Board members whose three-year terms will be expiring are: Nicki Russell, Jason Paulsmeyer and Doug Moeller.
Jefferson City School District
JC Schools will accept applications from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Dec. 9, as well as Dec. 12-16 and 19-20, and from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Dec. 21 and 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 27. The offices at 315 E. Dunklin St. will be closed Dec. 22-26. Filing will also not occur if the district is closed for weather or holidays. Three positions are available with three-year terms.
Candidates whose terms will be expiring are: Scott Hovis, Lori Massman and Brad Bates.
CORRECTION: This article was edited Dec. 7, 2022, to correct the number and length of terms of board positions in the Cole R-5 School District, and Derek Sommerer's name was added to the members with expiring terms.