Two school board members in Washington County won’t seek re-election and a contested race is shaping up in Fayetteville.
The filing period opens Tuesday and ends at noon July 9 for the Sept. 17 election, said Becky Lewallen, county clerk. The Washington County Clerk’s office will be closed Thursday for Independence Day but will be open Friday.
David Van Bebber, longtime Springdale School Board member, announced he won’t seek re-election to the Zone 2 seat. He has served on the board about 14 years, he said. He is leaving the board to pursue other interests.
Van Bebber said he told his fellow board members about his decision about a month ago.
Jeff Williams, who is completing a five-year term on the Springdale Board in an at-large position, said he will seek election to the Zone 2 seat. That leaves the Position 2 open.
Susan Heil said she will seek another term for the At-Large Position 2 representative on the Fayetteville School Board. She has served 12 years on the board.
James McGinty, retired contractor, said he plans to oppose her for a five-year term on the board. This will be McGinty’s third try for a board seat.
Lanny Rice, who holds the Position 4 seat on the Prairie Grove School Board, said he won’t seek another term.
“I said I would only serve one term,” Rice said.
Voters in Prairie Grove will decide whether to raise property taxes by 6 mills to build a primary school addition at the intermediate school and a new competitive gymnasium. No tax increases have been proposed by other school districts.
Incumbents who are expected to seek re-election are:
• Elkins: Carol Heymsfield, Position 1.
• Farmington: Travis Warren, Position 1. Warren was appointed about a month ago after longtime board member Wesley Stevens resigned.
• Greenland: Deborah Crown, Zone 7.
• Lincoln: Dax Moreton, Zone 4.
• West Fork: Mark Findahl, Position 1.
Prospective candidates must turn in a petition with 20 signatures of registered voters in the zone or district they are running in to be declared a candidate. The election packets are available at the clerk’s office and in the central administration office in each district.
Other key dates in the election cycle are Aug. 19, the last day to register to vote, and Sept. 10, when early voting begins, Lewallen said.