This week, critics of school policy may want to match their actions to words and climb into the hot seat. School boards throughout Grant County need new members. Deadline to file for a host of vacant positions is Thursday, March 20.

School officials welcome anyone who has a concern for children and the time to attend meetings. Vacancies have emerged on school boards in Dayville, John Day, Long Creek, Monument and Prairie City.

In some cases, the openings occurred as a natural course of elections law. Members appointed to boards in order to fill recent vacancies must stand for election on May 20. Newly elected board members from this election will take office July 1.

Sometimes, unique circumstances explain the turnover. In Prairie City, trustee Dennis Lynch said he was told his term of office would last for two years. When he learned his term actually lasts four years, he decided to allow someone else to take up the reins in his place. His resignation was declared, effective June 30. Fortunately, his decision was announced early enough for his position to appear on the ballot.

Other boards need applicants, according to Grant County Clerk Kathy McKinnon. A total of nine special districts require citizen involvement on their governing boards. These include boards of the cemetery districts, fire districts, Grant County Education Service District and John Day/Canyon City Parks and Recreation District.

The Grant County Hospital District added two positions to its board to create a total of seven positions. The two added positions remain vacant. Applicants for the three other vacancies on the board include newcomer Amy Kreger, appointee Jack Southworth and newcomer Carla Teague.

For more information about filing to run for public boards, visit the clerk’s office in the Grant County Courthouse in Canyon City or call 575-1675.School board openingsFollowing are those who have filed to run for election for four-year terms on seven-member school boards in Grant County; applicants are current as of March 13. Deadline to file is March 20 for the May 20 election.

Dayville

Three vacancies: Dave Hannibal, Don Moss, Rhonda Woosley

None filed

Grant District No. 3 (John Day)

Three vacancies: Steve Courtney, Pat Holliday, Tracie Unterwegner

Filed: Holliday (I), Unterwegner (A)

Long Creek

Five vacancies: Elmer Bennett, David Brush, Ron Burnette, Alita Henslee, Kelly McGirr

Filed: Brush (A), McGirr (A)

Monument

Three vacancies: Gary Adams, John Forrest, Mitch Mund

Filed: Adams (I), Mund (I)

Prairie City

Four vacancies: Nancy Crisler, Dennis Lynch, Wanda Voigt, Margie Walton.

None filed.

(A) appointee; (I) incumbent