OXFORD – Nominating petitions will be available starting Friday for those interested in running for the two Oxford school board seats which will be vacant as of June 30. The date marks the end of board member John Godfrey’s second, three-year term in office and Mark Roach’s first term.
The vacant board seats will be filled based on the results of the board of election scheduled for May 19, when district voters will also vote on next year’s budget. While Roach has indicated his intention of seeking another term in office, Godfrey said he is still undecided.
In order to run for one of the school board positions, an individual must have resided in the district for at least one year, qualify to vote in the district and be able to read and write. For their name to appear on the ballot, a petition signed by at least 25 district residents must be submitted to District Clerk Michele Rice.
Petitions may be picked up from the District Office, located in the Oxford Middle School, beginning Friday, April 3. Prospective candidates will also receive information on the expenditure statements they are required to file.
Completed petitions must be returned to the district clerk by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 20 to qualify. While just 25 signatures are required on the petitions, Rice said she suggests candidates collect more than the minimum to ensure an adequate number of qualified signatures.
According to Rice, employees of the school district, those who reside with another school board member and those holding another “incompatible public office” are ineligible to hold a board of education seat, as are those who have been removed from any school district office in the past year.
In addition to the two board of education, one five-year Library Board term is also due to expire at the end of June. Matt Voce, who currently holds the seat, said he plans to seek another term. Petitions for the Library Board vacancy will also be available on Friday.
For more information, contact Michele Rice at 843-2025, ext. 4040.