Filing to open - with orientation

Filing for four of the six school board seats up for re-election on Nov. 3 will open Aug. 25 and close 5 p.m. Sept. 8.

And for the first time, the district will host an orientation session for people considering a run for school board to explain the role of a school board member, including the time commitments and committee structure.

This orientation session will be 6-8:30 p.m. Aug. 24 in Room No. 200 at Washington Educational Services Building in Brainerd.

Four-year terms are up for Bob Nystrom, Lew Hudson and Ruth Nelson. A two-year special term for the seat currently held by Molly Kurtzman also will be up for election.

Board members voted Monday to raise the filing fee from $2 to $25 after board member Bob Nystrom said it seemed too low. He said when his wife, Rachel Reabe Nystrom, ran and was elected to the Crow Wing County Board, her filing fee was $50.

However, district staff learned Tuesday that the board cannot raise the filing fee since Minnesota statute requires it to remain at $2.

Candidates for school board must be an eligible voter, age 21 when he or she assumes office and must be a school district resident for at least 30 days before the general election. Qualified candidates must not have any other affidavits of candidacy on file for any other office in the same general election.

Superintendent Steve Razidlo said a candidate may not run for both the two-year and four-year terms.

Absentee ballots will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 2 through Nov. 2, including 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Crow Wing County auditor's office. An application for an absentee ballot must be completed and signed before a ballot will be distributed.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.