Nominating forms available for four Missoula County Public Schools board seats up for election May 8

Nominating Petitions and Oath of Candidacy forms are available for four seats that will be up for election on the Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees on Tuesday, May 8.

Forms may be obtained from Pat McHugh, director of business services, at the District’s Business Building, 915 South Avenue West, in Missoula. Forms may also be obtained from the Montana Office of Public Instruction website at http://www.opi.mt.gov/Finance&Grants/schoolfinance/Index.html#gpm1_7.

Forms must be filed with the Missoula County Elections Office at in the Missoula County Courthouse, 200 West Broadway, by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 29. The forms may also be returned to the District for filing, but must be received in the District’s Business Building no later than 4 p.m. on March 29. Individuals filing for an elementary trustee position will need to collect 20 signatures from registered voters who live in the MCPS Elementary District boundaries. Fewer signatures are required for individuals interested in the trustee positions that represent Bonner, Target Range and Hellgate districts.

The following seats are up for election:

· Two seats that represent both the Elementary (K-8) and Secondary (high school) Districts on the Board. These seats are three-year terms. Anyone interested in these positions must live within the MCPS Elementary District boundary. These seats are currently held by Joe Knapp and Michael Smith.

· One seat that represents the Bonner and Target Range Elementary Districts on the Secondary (high school) Board. This seat is a three-year term. Candidates must reside in Election District "B," which includes the attendance areas for Bonner and Target Range schools. This seat is currently held by Jim Sadler.

· One seat that represents the Hellgate Elementary District on the Secondary (high school) Board. This seat is a three-year term. Candidates must reside in Election District "C," which includes the attendance area for Hellgate Elementary. This seat is currently held by Marcia Holland.

MCPS trustees are volunteer, non-paid positions. Trustees are requested to attend 3-4 monthly meetings (on average) that focus on curricula, policy, budget, administrative issues and other topics. Meetings are held during the day and evening.

There are 11 trustees on the school board. Seven seats represent both Elementary and Secondary Districts; four seats represent outlying communities and vote only on Secondary District issues.

For additional information about any of these available positions, please contact Lesli Brassfield at 728-2400, ext. 1024.