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Update: The struggle to find school board candidates in Burrton is over. After Eyewitness News aired a story Monday about the lack of candidates the superintendent says six people filed to run. There are three open positions, so now each seat will have a contested race.
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Monday January 22, 2013
Students from around the area will fill chairs inside Burrton High School Tuesday. They'll visit the school for a leadership conference. But it's the seats inside the school board chambers that need to be filled. Right now, no one is running for the three open positions.
"If we all chip in, a lot of good things get done in a small town,” Linda Janzen said.
Janzen knows about getting involved in her community. This former city council woman volunteers at the school. And, she's encouraging residents to run for the board.
"I think some people might just be scared to step out and take the chance of putting themselves out on that limb to volunteer and do something,” Janzen said.
Superintendent Jeff Shearon says making tough decisions could also be a deterrent for possible candidates. And, there's time.
"I think a big issue is time. I think people are strapped. They're running a hundred different directions and doing a lot of different things,” Superintendent Shearon said.
If nobody files by noon Tuesday and there are no write-in candidates during the April election, the seven-member school board would stay unchanged.
"For those positions that were to expire, those positions will be held over until those positions are appointed or filled, or until November 15th--which is general election time,” Superintendent Shearon said.
But the superintendent is hopeful three qualified people will step-up and sit-down. He says a passion for kids… like Janzen has... is a requirement.
"I went to school here. My kids went to school here. It's important to me that Burrton stays alive and vital,” Janzen said.
The only requirements to run for the Burrton School Board... you have to be 18 or older and live within the school district.