School Board Elections Near: Your Opportunity To Serve

By Dave Freneaux
    Qualifying for the November 4th School Board election is August 20-22, just two weeks away.  If you have ever wanted to make an impact on the direction of Central’s school system, this is your opportunity.
    The CCSS has a budget of almost $40 million and is almost continually involved in construction and renovation of school facilities.  So, whether your skill set is education, business management, or construction, there is a place for you.  The position pays $7,800 a year. 
    The Central Community School Board meets twice each month, on the second and fourth Mondays, at 6PM.  An average school board meeting lasts about one hour.  The cost to qualify is $230, but with 100 signatures of registered voters in your district, the fee is waived.
    One school board member is elected from each of seven districts.  The average voter turnout in each district has been approximately 1,200, meaning that a little over 600 votes would likely be needed to be elected in a district.
    There have been few challengers to the incumbents in prior elections when serving on the school board did not include a salary.  In 2010 the current school board was elected to a four year unpaid term, but seven months into their term voted to pay themselves and future school board members $7,800 per year.