Wintry weather keeps candidates from filing on the opening day

Office seekers have until 5 p.m. Jan. 20 to file

SIKESTON -- Icy roadways not only halted classes for local school districts, but it also delayed the first few days of filing for school board candidacy.

Filing began Tuesday but it was Thursday or Friday before most patrons were able to officially fill out the paperwork due to hazardous road conditions earlier in the week, school officials said.

Those who run for election must be a resident of Missouri for one year, at least 24 years old and a resident taxpayer of the district.

Sikeston R-6 school board members whose three-year terms will expire in April are Ann Jones and Julie Dolan. Jill M. Hopson is the only person to file so far. Sikeston R-6 residents who want to file for office can do so at the office of board secretary Rice P. Burns, 733 N. Main St., in Sikeston during regular business hours.

Those wishing to file for candidacy with their local school districts can do so at their respective central offices.

Scott County R-4 (Kelly) School District incumbent Tony Powell filed for candidacy Friday morning. At press time, no one else had filed including the other incumbent Jim Simmons.

Seats held by Tony Lackey and Steve Pobst in the Scott County Central School District will be up for grabs in April. Filing for candidacy this week were Elizabeth Whitten and Lackey.

New Madrid County R-1 School District incumbents Jonathan Maloyed and Ralph Barnwell filed for candidacy.

In the Portageville School District, incumbent Donney Benthal Jr. filed to retain his position. The other incumbent Ronnie Adams has not yet filed.

Kristin Jones and Lucille Cassell have filed for candidacy in the Charleston R-1 School District. Positions held by Lorraine Stallings and Alberta Redd will expire in April. As of Friday morning, Stallings and Redd hadn't yet filed.

East Prairie R-2 incumbents Steve Ellis and Eric McGruder have filed for candidacy.

Most school district offices will close for the Christmas and New Year's holidays so those wanting to file during that time period should contact their district's office first. Filing ends at 5 p.m. Jan. 20.