Two school board seats, Stanton tax to be on September ballot

 Come September, at least two area schools will have issues on the ballot. 

Red Oak Community School District will have a contested election for two vacant school board seats, including that of School Board President Lee Fellers. 

Board member Bill Drey’s seat will also be open. 

According to ROCSD Business Manager and Board Secretary Shirley Maxwell, three people have turned in their paperwork to run for the open positions. 

Fellers and Drey will both seek reelection; however, they have competition. 

Mark Johnson, who has openly opposed recent decisions made by the school board, has chosen to vie for one of the open spots. 

“I’m running simply because I think the people need another choice than what they have [already up there],” Johnson said.

Jedd Sherman, former Red Oak Community High School principal, has also picked paperwork up to throw his name into the hat for the election. 

The required paperwork for candidates consists of a petition of at least 48 signatures of registered voters.

Maxwell said she encourages candidates to have more than the required amount in case someone is not a registered voter.

All paperwork for candidates is due Friday by 5 p.m.

Also on the upcoming ballot, Stanton Community Schools will have a resolution to adopt a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy. 

Stanton has never had a voted PPEL tax before, but this would allow the school access to funds for necessary costs. 

According to Iowa code, “voters may authorize a voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy for a period of time not exceeding 10 years and in an amount not exceeding $1.34 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation.”

This fund can be used for costs such as grounds purchases or improvements, construction of buildings or roads, technology, payment of debt for construction, purchase of transportation equipment and cleanup after natural disasters.  

The election will take place Sept. 8.