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Thursday, Aug. 06, 2009

Little interest seen in Merced County school board races

Many districts have no hopefuls; others have single candidates.

Merced County voters will decide races for 60 seats on nearly two dozen local school boards in November -- unless no one runs.

As of noon Wednesday, 17 of the 60 contests remained without candidates. Of the 21 districts and agencies with seats on the ballot, so far only nine will see contested races.

The deadline for announcing candidacy is less than a week away. Most contests close Friday; for races in which incumbents don't run, the deadline extends to Wednesday.

"I'm just hoping there are lots of candidates out there waiting until the last minute to come forward," said Lee Andersen, Merced County superintendent of schools. "It's certainly a concern."

Elections in the Atwater Elementary School District have garnered the least interest so far. By Wednesday afternoon no candidates had come forward to fill the board's three open seats.

School officials suggested Atwater's budget troubles may be to blame. In the past two years the district has lost roughly $8 million in revenue. In attempts to balance its budget, the current school board slashed 54 jobs this winter, decreased employee health care benefits and eliminated funding for building maintenance, among other cuts.

"I hope those considering running will remember that there is much more to serving on a school board than making cuts," Andersen said. "Board members have the opportunity to make lots of positive impacts on education."

Added Melinda Hennes, Atwater's superintendent: "I'm hopeful that we'll get more interest in the coming days. It takes a lot of time and commitment, but the potential to do good things for kids is huge."

Confusion over recent school board election reforms may also be contributing to the lack of candidates. Several districts switched last fall to a system in which voters elect representatives from their own neighborhoods, instead of from the entire district at large. Potential candidates may not understand the newly drawn lines or even know that races are open.

In the event that races remain without candidates after Wednesday, standing school boards will appoint new members to fill the vacancies.

Besides small stipends in some districts, board members aren't paid for their time. They serve four-year terms. Besides setting district-wide policy and hiring administrators, they make major financial decisions and approve annual spending plans.

To be sure, not all districts are struggling to attract board candidates. In the Snelling-Merced Falls Union Elementary School District, for example, seven hopefuls have announced plans to run for three open seats. In the Gustine Unified School District, at least four candidates will vye for two vacancies.

The districts that will have to resort to appointments unless more candidates step forward include Atwater, Ballico-Cressey Elementary, Delhi Unified, El Nido Elementary, Le Grand Elementary, McSwain Union Elementary, Merced City, Plainsburg Union Elementary, Weaver Union and the Merced County Office of Education.

Andersen urged potential candidates to contact their district superintendents to learn more about meeting schedules, time commitments and what's expected of board members.

Questions about filing for candidacy should be directed to the Merced County Registrar of Voters at (209) 385-7541.

Reporter Corinne Reilly can be reached at (209)385-2477 or creilly@mercedsun-star.com.

Reporter Danielle Gaines contributed to this story.