MANISTIQUE, Mich. — School board candidates are scarce in Manistique Area Schools, according to the (Escanaba) Daily Press. With two vacant seats up for grabs in the Nov. 8 election, only one write-in candidate had filed as of Oct. 27, the Press reported.
Superintendent Kathy McDonough told the Press that the lack of candidates may be a “sign of the times.” She said that the unpaid position requires reviewing complex, changing issues and that board members’ votes on programs and staffing can affect friends and neighbors, the Press reported.
Interested individuals had until Friday to file as a write-in candidate, and one person has done so, according to the county clerk, the Press reported. McDonough said that if only one seat is filled by the election then the remaining board members will appoint someone to fill the other vacancy, the Press reported.
In comparison, five candidates are vying for three seats on the Manistique City Council, the Press reported.
SOURCE:
(Escanaba) Daily Press, “Election nears, candidates needed,” Oct. 27, 2011
FURTHER:
Michigan Education Report, “The proper role of a public school board,” June 21, 2010
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