School Board race heats up; 4 secure applications

Self-nominating applications for the Board of Trustees of Libby School District No. 4 need not be returned to the board office until March 29, but already four people — two of them incumbents — have taken applications to secure one of three seats whose terms expire.

Current board members Ellen Johnston and Bruce Sickler have taken, but not yet returned, applications to retain their seats on the board. A third board member, Lee Disney, has indicated he will not seek re-election.

“I think I’ve made a difference,” said Disney who has served five, three-year terms. “I’ve closed my business, and now I feel like it’s time to move on and do something else. It was good. The district went through some tough times, and I helped it through that — the down-sizing.”

Also, obtaining nominating forms are Kathleen Sheffield, who is a parent liaison with the district, has taken an application, as has Melissa LaGoy. Both women have yet to return their applications as of Tuesday afternoon.

Applications are available at the Business Office of the Central School Administration Building on Louisiana Avenue.

Candidates must complete the application, the Oath of Candidacy and the Petition for Nomination, which means they must garner a minimum of 20 signatures, all of whom must be registered voters.

“We recommend candidates get at least 30 signatures,” the nominating application instructional asserts, assuring at least 20 are registered voters.

The nominating form also has an optional page for the Code of Fair Campaign Practices, which just lists good campaign behavior.

Candidates have until 3 p.m. Thursday, March 29, to return their self-nominating forms.

According to guidelines, there need only be an election if more than three persons return their applications.

The election is May 8 with the polling place being the Central School Administration Building.