As voters start to cast ballots in advance of the Nov. 6 election, those in USD 257 will notice a special question at the end of the ballot: Should they start electing school board members at-large instead of by districts?
At-large means a person can live anywhere in the school district to run for a seat on its school board. Having all at-large representation could encourage more people to run for seats, board members reasoned when deciding to send the matter out for a vote. Some districts have trouble attracting people to run for the position, while others see numerous candidates.
It also would simplify procedures at the county clerks office. County Clerk Sherrie Rebel estimates it takes about 16 ballots to account for the differences between city voting precincts and school board districts.
The disadvantage of at-large positions is a potential for decreased representation in some areas, such as if no one was elected from Gas or LaHarpe.
The district currently has six voting districts and one at-large position.
School board elections are held in the fall of uneven years, so the next election will be in 2019. Current board members can choose to run for the at-large seats. In 2019, four seats will be up for election.
Humboldt and Marmaton Valley school districts already have switched to all at-large representation.
