Wednesday, July 10, 2013
FAYETTEVILLE — Contested races for school board seats developed in three Washington County districts while one vacant seat on the Greenland School Board didn’t draw any candidates.
James McGinty is challenging incumbent Susan Heil for At Large Position 2 in Fayetteville. Brian Moore and Michelle McCaslin Cook are vying for At Large Position 2 in Springdale. Bart Orr and Casie Ruland are running for Position 4 in Prairie Grove.
At A Glance
School Board Candidates
• Elkins: Carol J. Heymsfield, unopposed incumbent, Position 1.
• Farmington: Travis Warren, unopposed incumbent, Position 1.
• Fayetteville: Susan Heil, incumbent, and James McGinty, At Large Position 2.
• Lincoln: Dax Moreton, unopposed incumbent, Zone 4.
• Prairie Grove: Bart Orr and Casie Ruland, Position 4 seat.
• Springdale: Brian Moore and Michelle McCaslin Cook, At Large Position 2.
• Springdale: Jeff Williams, unopposed, Zone 2.
• West Fork: Mark Findahl, unopposed incumbent, Position 4.
Source: Staff Report
Deborah Crown of Winslow, who was appointed to the Zone 7 seat on the Greenland School Board about 16 months ago, is completing the term of John Collins, who resigned. Crown’s term ends after the Sept. 17 election.
Zone 7 encompasses the most southern portion of the Greenland School District that includes a part of Winslow.
Washington County Clerk Becky Lewallen checked with state election officials shortly after filing closed at noon Tuesday to determine Greenland’s next step. She said she was told the School Board could appoint someone to fill the position.
Greenland Superintendent Charles Cudney said Tuesday afternoon the board would likely reappoint Crown.
Washington County election coordinator Jennifer Price said Greenland still has to have a school election so voters can decide whether to renew the property tax millage. There won’t be a polling place in the district, she said. Early and absentee votes will decide the millage.
The Washington County Election Commission will meet at 9 a.m. today to draw ballot positions in Springdale, Fayetteville and Prairie Grove. The commission will consider the number and location of polling places to open in Springdale and Fayetteville because the contested races are for at large positions that voters throughout the district will decide, Price said.
Price said the commission has the option to open one polling place in a city where all voters can cast their ballots.
Voters in Prairie Grove and West Fork will have millage increases to consider, Price said. Voters in other school districts will consider existing property tax rates.
The Prairie Grove School Board recently approved the ballot question to ask voters for a 6-mill increase in property taxes to build a primary school as an addition to the intermediate school. The plan includes a storm shelter, built to federal standards, at the intermediate school and a 1,400-seat competition gym. Cost of the projects is projected at $15.8 million.
The West Fork School Board is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. today to consider its 2013-14 budget and the ballot language asking voters for a 2-mill increase in property taxes. Superintendent John Karnes said the district plans to build a physical education building and add two classrooms at the middle school. Project cost estimate is $2.3 million. The district received $1.4 million in state money for the projects.