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The count down for signatures on petitions starts soon for those interested in one of three seats up for election on the Marietta City Schools Board of Education.
The terms of Stacey Hall, Mark Duckworth and Doug Mallett are each up at the conclusion of 2021, though each has the opportunity to file and run again.
Bill Hutchinson and Russ Garrison's seats don't appear on ballots again until 2023 in their final year of their present four-year terms.
"There's three seats open this year and the expectation is at least one of those won't be somebody running for reelection so we're going to need some fresh blood to fill out the board and it's always nice to have a choice in elections," said Garrison, the board's president.
The nonpartisan selections on the Nov. 2 ballot require a potential candidate to seek formal candidacy via petition signatures and file by Aug. 4 at the Washington County Board of Elections office.
"They're all the same, the ballot will have all the names listed and say vote for no more than three and the three people that get the most votes get elected. It's not like the county commissioners where there are two separate elections," Garrison compared to the 2020 general election. "The advantage of that is when you're filling out the petition it's not like a primary where you have to get just (Democrats) or just (Republicans). Any registered voter is eligible to sign your petition as long as they live in the district."
With less than two months until that deadline for boards of public school districts across Ohio, the Ohio School Boards Association has launched the website getonboardohio.org to promote board membership and provide information that can provide a starting point for potential candidates.
To piggyback that online offering, Garrison is offering an informal question and answer session for those curious about the role and duties.
"Myself and perhaps a couple of the district staff will be at the district office for a little while, to give people a chance to ask what it's like, share what questions you have about the district, about finances," Garrison described. "It's an important role even if we don't always have the flexibility from the state we wish we had. I'm just trying to get some word out there since you'd have to file by Aug. 4 and it takes a little time to get ready to get out as a candidate to have petitions signed."
That session will be Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m. at the district office, 111 Academy Drive.
The present board is made up of a mix of professional and personal backgrounds, Garrison noted, one which can provide a variety of perspectives as the board guides broad-picture policies for the school district.
"The first thing you start to learn is how school operates in a different way than business, especially when you're working with a board," noted MCS Superintendent Will Hampton. "Understanding of the board's role differs from management's role. Boards are there to set policies and large scale, not day by day operations. So, letting go of that and understanding how you fit in that process is sometimes a challenge. People get it, but it is very different from maybe working in an office if you're a manager."
With seven school boards in the county, counting the Washington County Career Center, big picture, Garrison said, is key.
"While the personalities and superintendents are different the basic job is the same everywhere," he said. "Yes, it's a paid position, just not much. Our district is currently $125 a meeting, but that's only the formal meetings."
And the time commitment if elected?
"It really varies based on the level of engagement of the board member as low as four to five hours a month to as high as 15-20 hours a month," Garrison previewed some answers available next week. "President/vice president is three to four hours a week. But it's distinctly not a full time job."
And those with a visitor on the doorstep in the next two months?
"That signature doesn't reflect that you're going to vote for them, just agrees to allow them on the ballot," reminded Garrison. "From my perspective it's an eye-opening experience to get involved in the board and learn the details of school."
And other answers those attending may hear Tuesday?
"Where's the money coming from?," said Garrison. "What sort of things do we get to decide, what sort of things do we not get to decide? I think a lot of times just the opportunity to ask questions of what you're specifically concerned about can help you decide if you want to be involved. If you believe that you can squeeze more out of the stone, come and learn."
Other questions he plans to answer include expectations on open meetings and public records and how that impacts how a board and its members conduct business.
"If you're thinking about it but you have some questions or concerns, come sit down and I'll answer questions to the best of my ability," said Garrison "It's just an opportunity to talk with the current board president about what it's like to be on the board."
Janelle Patterson may be reached at jpatterson@mariettatimes.com.