Yavapai County voters will decide 61 different seats on local school boards on the Tuesday, Nov. 3, General Election.
The Yavapai County Education Service Agency, which runs the election, is currently accepting statements of interest from potential candidates.
“People should run for their local school board to serve their community,” Yavapai County School Superintendent Steve King [R] said following a presentation to the Kiwanis Club of Sedona Bell Rock on Tuesday, April 7. “If you want to talk about democracy, there’s nothing more elemental than serving on your local school board. So we’re always looking for people of goodwill, thoughtfulness and collaboration to serve on those boards.”
■ Camp Verde School District voters will decide on two four-year seats currently held by Maraya Oothoudt and Sharon Petrie. Both candidates have filed their statements of interest for reelection.
■ Beaver Creek School District has three four-year seats on the ballot. Voters will have their say on the seats currently held by Susi Edgington, Carlos Ramos and Lincoln Thomasson.
■ Clarkdale-Jerome School District voters will determine the future of two four-year seats currently held by Denise Kennedy and Seth Murphy. William Trezise has filed a statement of interest to run.
■ Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District voters head to the polls to decide on two four-year seats currently held by Ruth Ellen Elinski and Neil Manzenberger. Both candidates have filed their statements of interest for reelection.
■ Mingus Union High School District voters have the most varied ballot, with two four-year seats held by Austin Babcock and William Davis up for grabs, plus a two-year seat currently filled by appointee Matthew Chavez who has filed his statement of interest to run.
■ Sedona-Oak Creek School District voters will weigh in on two four-year seats now held by Karen McClelland and Lauren Robinson.
■ Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education draws voters from across the region. Mingus Union-area voters will decide on the seat held by David Leckington, while Camp Verde-area voters will determine who fills the seat currently held by Ed Mezulis; both seats have four-year terms.
A school board member helps set the overall direction for the district and shows up to all board meetings. They’re responsible for hiring and evaluating the superintendent and they have the final say on the district’s budget and official policies.
The last day for candidates to file their nomination petitions is Monday, July 6.
For more information on how to run for school boards in Yavapai County visit yavapaicoesa.gov or call Audrey Isley at (928) 442-5138 or audrey.isley@yavapaiaz.gov.
