Lone Tree

Following a valid petition challenging the board's recent appointments, the Lone Tree School District will hold a special election to fill two vacant school board seats.

Candidates interested in running have until 5 p.m. Friday to file the necessary paperwork. Each candidate must submit at least 17 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

It was later announced that three candidates have filed for the school board election: current board members Vida Wollrab and Alex Lorack, along with Jamie Lorack. 

The vacancies were created after two school board members resigned on May 30. Rather than immediately calling a special election, which district officials estimated would cost between $4,000 and $7,000, the board voted to fill the openings by appointment.

On June 24, the board appointed Vida Wollrab and Alex Lorack to the vacant seats. However, a petition requesting a special election was filed the following day, June 25.

The petition was certified as valid on July 2. As required by Iowa law, the district notified the Johnson County Auditor, who is responsible for administering, conducting and supervising the special election.

Until the election is held and the results are certified, Wollrab and Lorack will continue serving as board members. If either is elected in the special election, that person will be sworn in again and will serve the remainder of the unexpired term, which ends at the November 2027 regular school election.

Early voting begins July 20 at the Johnson County Auditor's Office and will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 20 is also the deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot and to pre-register to vote.

Polls will be open on Tuesday, Aug. 3, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting will take place at the American Legion in Lone Tree.