MADERA COUNTY — While the eyes of the country may be focused on Washington D.C., note that important local elections will take place during the presidential general elections, held on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016.
Among them, a total of five school board trustees in two Madera County districts will be up for re-election, and now is the time for any potential new candidate to file an application — that is, a declaration of candidacy — with the county.
In the Yosemite Unified School District, three incumbents are expected to run again, says Stephanie Sibley, Elections Division Manager for Madera County. Those YUSD candidates are Christine Wilder (Trustee Area 2), Tammy Loveland (Trustee Area 3), and Joe Smith (Trustee Area 4).
In the Bass Lake School District, two incumbent candidates will run for re-election: Ron Bucheger (Trustee Area 3) and Ronda Clarke (Trustee Area 5).
To be eligible, a candidate must be a registered voter 18 years or older, and be a resident of the school district and/or trustee area that they are running for, according to Sibley. Potential candidates must pick up a packet from the county elections department and return the completed form to them between Monday, July 18 and and Friday, August 12.
The candidate handbook for the school board and other elections, and additional useful information, is posted at www.VoteMadera.com.
The office of elections suggests potential candidates allot at least 30 minutes to pick up the packet so the application may be explained in person. Potential candidates who want to know more about the job duties of trustee can call the respective district office. Residents who want to know what trustee area they live in they can call the Madera County elections department at (559) 675-7720.
“People often come to school board meetings when it’s too late to make a difference,” says one district parent. “This election provides people with a genuine opportunity to help.”
