Monday, September 14, 2026
44.0°F

School board ballots in the mail

BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 4 months AGO
by BERL TISKUS
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. | April 25, 2024 12:00 AM

Ballots for school board elections across Lake County were mailed to voters April 22 and must be returned to the Lake County Election Office in the Lake County Courthouse by 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. 

The U.S. Post Office recommends mailing ballots by April 30 – at least a week before Election Day – so they’ll arrive at the courthouse by May 7.

On Election Day the office will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for ballots to be returned, and a ballot box is available during business hours.

In school districts where only once candidate has filed for an available seat, trustees are elected by acclamation. That’s the case in the following districts:

Arlee School District #8J has one open seat, and  incumbent Lindsey O’Neill is unopposed.

Dayton School District #33 has one opening, and incumbent Arnold Bjork has filed for the office.

Ronan School District #30 has two school board seats open. Incumbent Tom Anderson has refiled for his position; no one filed for the vacant seat by deadline.

Salmon Prairie/Swan Lake School District #73 has one trustee seat open and incumbent Manuel Kesterson has filed for the position. 

Valley View School District #35 has one open trustee position, and incumbent Linda Westphal filed for that seat. 

Trustees will also be elected to fill seats on local water and sewer and fire districts in Arlee, Polson and Chief Cliff. 

For questions regarding the election, call the Lake County Election Office at 406-883-7268.

ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS

Ronan theater teacher attends prestigious Shakespeare institute
September 10, 2026 midnight

Ronan theater teacher attends prestigious Shakespeare institute

William Shakespeare’s work is a constant in the high school curriculum and sometimes in middle school.

Moiese gallery and gift business celebrates 50 years
September 6, 2026 midnight

Moiese gallery and gift business celebrates 50 years

A kiddie pool with gently floating ducks in Scottish Highlander costumes, and a big sign over the door that says Happy 50 Years gave a clue that something was happening at Lonesome Heritage Farms at Wagon Wheel Gift and Gallery in Moiese.

September 3, 2026 midnight

Ronan City Council hears preliminary water system engineering report

Shari Johnson, Ronan city engineer, and Dom Goble and CR Leisinger, project engineers from Morrison Maierle, presented the water system preliminary engineering report.