The filing period for the November combined city and school elections began on Monday.

The filing period runs until 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19 for both city and school elections.

This is the first year of combined city and school elections.

In 2017, the Iowa Legislature passed a law moving school elections from September to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November on odd-numbered years. 

All area cities and school boards will have seats up for grabs on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Mid-Prairie school board

There are a total of five Mid-Prairie school board seats on November’s ballot – four four-year seats and one two-year seat.

The four-year seats are currently held by Denise Chittick, Jeremy Gugel, Jeremy Pickard and Marianne Schlabach. The two-year seat is held by Mary Allred.

Gugel was appointed to the board earlier this month to replace Emily Uhl, who resigned after moving out of the school district. 

Allred was appointed in July to replace Gerry Kahler, who also resigned after moving out of the district.

Mid-Prairie Business Manager Jeff Swartzentruber explained that prospective candidates must file to run for either a four-year term or the single two-year term.

In November’s election, voters will be asked to mark four choices for the four-year seats. Voters may make only one choice for the two-year seat.

Nomination papers are available at the Mid-Prairie Central Office, the Washington County Auditor’s Office and the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.

Forms must be submitted by 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19 and have a minimum of 50 signatures of qualified voters in the Mid-Prairie school district.

“We recommend that prospective candidates gather 10 to 15 more than 50 just in case a signature is thrown out due to various circumstances,” Swartzentruber said.

School board members receive no pay.

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