In the absence of candidates to run for two positions on the Fowler School District R4J Board of Education, the district is announcing the cancellation of the Nov. 3, 2009 election.
According to Mike Thomas, district financial secretary and the designated election official, the only matter before electors this year would have been the election of persons to fill two positions on the board. Five school district residents serve as trustees on Fowler's Board of Education. Every two years an election is held seating two positions at one election, then three at the next. This year seats for District B and District D, held by Jerry Bonds and Eric Larson respectively, were set to expire. Fowler's school board does not have term limits, meaning trustees may serve indefinitely. Both Bonds and Larson indicated they would be willing to serve another term. In the absence of other candidates, and with the passing of the deadline to file a nomination petition or an affidavit of intent to run as a write-in candidate, the election has become redundant. “By canceling this election, which is no longer necessary, the district will save an estimated $4000,” states Thomas.
Thomas says state law authorizes the Board of Education to cancel an election by resolution and declare candidates elected, if by the close of business on Sept. 1, there are not more candidates than offices to be filled. That is the situation that currently exists at this time in Fowler School District, and to that end, Bonds and Larson have now been declared elected, each for another 4 year term of office.
