Filing period now open for area school trustee candidates

The filing period is open for people interested in becoming school board trustee candidates.

The deadline to file paperwork is March 28, which includes a declaration of intent and oath of candidacy. April 4 is the deadline for a write-in candidate to file a declaration of intent, or for candidates wishing to withdraw their names.

Paperwork may be obtained from and returned to a candidate’s respective school district. Prospective candidates must be registered voters living in the school district they wish to serve.

School elections will be held May 7. If the number of candidates after April 5 is equal to or less than the number of openings on a school board, districts may cancel elections and qualified candidates will be seated by acclamation.

Trustees are volunteers representing the public who are responsible for making decisions that impact how schools operate. Duties typically include setting achievement goals, reviewing and adopting policies, annual budgets and educational programs and holding schools accountable.

Following is a list of openings in each district and locations to file paperwork:

- Bigfork has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the district office, 600 Commerce St., Bigfork. For more information call 406-837-7402.

- Cayuse Prairie has one three-year term open. File paperwork at the district clerk’s office, 897 Lake Blaine Road. For more information call 406-756-4560.

- Columbia Falls has two three-year terms open. In addition, a three-year term representing West Glacier in the high school district is also open. File paperwork at 501 Sixth Ave. W., Columbia Falls. For more information call 406-892-6550.

- Creston has two three-year terms open. Paperwork may be filed at the school office, 4495 Montana 35. For more information call 406-755-2859.

- Deer Park has a three-year term open. File paperwork at the school, 2105 Middle Road. For more information call 406-892-5388.

- Evergreen has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the district office, 18 W. Evergreen Dr. For more information call 406-751-1111.

- Fair-Mont-Egan has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the school, 797 Fairmont Road. For more information call 406-755-2038.

- Flathead Valley Community College has two three-year terms open. The college is located at 777 Grandview Drive. For more information call 406-756-3822.

- Helena Flats has a three-year term open. File paperwork at the district office, 1000 Helena Flats Road. For more information call 406-257-2301.

- Kalispell has two three-year terms open in representing the elementary district. There are also two seats available in the high school district. One high school seat is for a three-year term representing Kila and Somers-Lakeside. Another high school seat is for a two-year term representing Cayuse Prairie, Creston, Deer Park and Fair-Mont-Egan. File paperwork at 233 First Ave. E. For more information call 406-751-3412.

- Kila has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at 395 Kila Road. For more information call 406-257-2428.

- Marion has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the school, 205 Gopher Lane. For more information call 406-854-2333.

- Olney-Bissell has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the school, 5955 Farm to Market Road. For more information call 406-862-2828.

- Pleasant Valley has a three-year term open. File paperwork at the school, 7975 Pleasant Valley Road. For more information call 406-858-2343.

- Smith Valley has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the office, 2901 U.S. 2 W. For more information call 406-756-4535.

- Somers-Lakeside has two three-year terms open. File paperwork with the district clerk at 315 School Addition Road in Somers. For more information call 406-857-3661.

- Swan River has a three-year term open. File paperwork at the school, 1205 Swan Highway. For more information call 406-837-4528.

- West Glacier has a three-year term and a one-year term open. File paperwork at 160 Old River Bridge Road. For more information call 406-888-5312.

- West Valley has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the school, 2290 Farm to Market Road. For more information call 406-755-7239.

- Whitefish has two three-year terms open. File paperwork at the district office, 600 E. Second St., Whitefish. For more information call 406-862-8643.