March 28 deadline for school candidates

Three seats will be open on the Havre Public Schools Board of Trustees in the spring elections.

Darlene Bricker, the present chairman, Cindy Erickson and Curtis Smeby’s positions are up for election in May, Superintendent Andy Carlson said.

There has to be a competition in order for an election to be warranted or if the board of trustees decides to vote for a mill levee to raise taxes to fund the elementary schools.

“As of this time, we’re not making any recommendations to run a mill levee,” Carlson said. He added that the board only has the option to run a mill levy on the elementary school district, as the high school is maxed out.

“If we have enough candidates to run an election, May 6 would be when it runs,” Carlson said. “If we don’t have enough candidates and if they’re not running a mill levee, there will be no elections.”

If the elections do take place May 6, district residents will cast their vote at Havre High School.

“Anyone within the district can vote,” Carlson said. “Absentee ballots would also be sent out.”

Anyone interested in filing as a candidate for the three-year terms, can pick up a packet at the Robins Administration Building. The packets need to be turned in and filed at Robins by March 28.

The terms up for election are three-year terms and have zero compensation, Carlson said.

There has not been a contested election for the school board in two years.

“It’s a big commitment to run for the school board, and I appreciate those who have dedicated their time to running it,” Carlson said. “It’s a large commitment. People have to consider that before they decide to run.”

A board member’s duties include attending board planning and public meetings every month and training. Carlson said he could not guess as to how much time a board member spends working, but it is substantial.

“It’s not just a time commitment,” Carlson said. “They make some pretty large decisions. I really do appreciate the folks of the school board.”