Wanted: School board candidates

By MARK NEWMAN Courier staff writer

July 22, 2008 11:51 pm

— OTTUMWA — More than halfway through the filing period and no one has submitted nomination papers announcing their candidacy for the Ottumwa school board.
“We do have school elections coming up,” said John Donner, the board secretary.
The seats up for a vote are currently held by Ron Oswalt and Pat Curran. School board elections across the state will be held Sept. 9.
“Candidates that want to run have to get nomination papers in by 5 p.m. on July 31,” Donner said.
Nomination papers require a number of signatures based on the number of voters in a district. Ottumwans have typically needed 50 signatures to run for school board. They also need to fill out filing paperwork called an affidavit.
“We currently have two positions up for election,” Donner said, “and they are still for three-year terms.”
Oswalt told the Courier Tuesday he has decided to run.
“I really enjoyed it ... and if the public wants me to do it again, I will,” he said.
Curran could not be reached for comment by press time Tuesday.
New rules about school board election terms won’t be enacted until next year.
Donner said time is running short to get the paperwork to his office.
“We have not had any turned in yet. They can get the papers either online at the Secretary of State’s office or at our office,” he said Tuesday.
The board offices are located at 422 McCarroll Drive. The Web address to obtain the papers is located at www.sos.state.ia.us/elections.
Candidates in other school districts in the area face the same July 31 deadline.
Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.