Three positions on the five-member Philomath School Board will be voted upon in the May 20 special election. Candidates can file by declaration beginning Monday with the deadline set for March 20.
School Board members are elected to four-year terms and successful candidates will serve from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029. Terms expiring in June include those currently held by Rick Wells (Position 1), Joe Dealy (Position 3) and Erin Gudge (Position 4).
Wells and Dealy said they do not plan to run again. Gudge indicated at a January board meeting that she plans to seek re-election. Wells is the chair and Gudge the vice chair on the current board.
Board members Ryan Cheeke and Sandi Hering (Positions 2 and 5) are both nearing the midway point of their terms — both of those not expiring until June 2027.
Candidates must be registered to vote and have lived in the Philomath School District for one year immediately preceding the election. Board members may live anywhere within the district boundaries and will be elected on an at-large basis. Employees of the school district are not eligible.
Candidates must file with the county clerk’s office by either submitting a petition with signatures of registered voters or by declaring a candidacy and paying the $10 filing fee. Benton County publishes information on how to file. Those planning to run will need to file the form, SEL 190. Filing by petition also has a deadline of March 20 and candidates should contact the Benton County Elections Office to determine how many signatures are required.
For those with an interest but would like more information, the Oregon School Boards Association published two free webinars — “How to Run for School Board — The Process” and “Running for School Board — Roles and Responsibilities.”
Fire district boards
Two seats will also be up for election on the Philomath Fire and Rescue Board of Directors. Upcoming vacancies will be Position 1 (currently held by Joe Brier) and Position 2 (currently held by Ken Corbin). Both positions have four-year terms.
Candidates must be registered to vote and live in the fire district and have the same filing deadlines as the school board candidates. Local residents interested in running can reach out to Philomath Fire & Rescue at 541-360-0030 or admin@philomathfire.com.
Also on the ballot will be seats on the boards of the Blodget-Summit Rural Fire Protection District (positions 3, 4 and 5) and Hoskins-Kings Valley Rural Fire Protection District (positions 3, 4 and 5).
The county anticipates mailing ballots to local voters around April 30. The last day to register to vote is April 29.For more information, contact Benton County Elections at 541-766-6756 or www.co.benton.or.us/elections).