People wanting to serve as a school board trustee have until Feb. 9 to file paperwork to appear on the ballot for May 5.

It is also the last day a candidate may withdraw from the election by sending a statement to the clerk of the school district they intended to represent. 

Prospective trustee candidates must submit a declaration of intent and oath of candidacy form with the clerk in the school district they wish to represent. The form may be obtained from a school district clerk or online through the Flathead County Election Department at flatheadcounty.gov. 

March 2 is the deadline for write-in candidates to file a declaration of intent and oath of candidacy. Votes only count for write-in candidates who file a declaration of intent.  

If the number of candidates is equal to or less than the number of openings on a school board by April 3, districts may cancel trustee elections and qualified candidates will be seated by acclamation.  

Being a trustee is a volunteer position. Trustees are responsible for making decisions that affect how schools operate as representatives of their constituents. Some duties include adopting the annual budget, collective bargaining agreements and curriculum; setting policies; hiring and evaluating superintendents; hiring/firing personnel under an administrator’s recommendation; setting district goals and priorities; serving on committees; visiting schools and overseeing facility concerns; among other responsibilities that support and hold school districts accountable.  

Trustees may not be employed by the school district they represent, with the exception of refereeing events sanctioned by the Montana High School Association. 

Bigfork has five openings. Two of the open positions have three-year terms and one has a two-year term. The remaining term is for three years and represents Salmon Prairie and Swan River on high school issues. File paperwork at the district office located 600 Commerce St., Bigfork. For more information call 837-7400 or email [email protected].

Creston has one opening for a two-year term. Paperwork may be filed at the school office, 4495 Montana 35. For more information, call 755-2859 or email [email protected].  

Somers-Lakeside has two openings for three-year terms. File paperwork with the district clerk at 315 School Addition Road in Somers. For more information, call 857-3301 or email [email protected].

Swan River has two openings with three-year terms. File paperwork at the school, 1205 Swan Highway. For more information, call 837-4528 or email [email protected].