Few Candidates Come Forward to Run for Concord School Board

The filing period for candidates to run for new District Concord School Board seats ends on Monday and, so far, only two candidates have filed to run for re-election.

In District A, which covers Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4, Tom Croteau, a current board member, filed to run for re-election last week.

Earlier this week, Barbara Higgins, another incumbent, filed to run for re-election in the District B seat, which represents Ward 5, 6, and 7.

So far, no one has signed up to run for the District C seat, a three-year seat representing Wards 8, 9, and 10.

Melissa Donovan’s decision to step down later this year as she prepares to move to Pembroke also opens up another two-year seat for District A, to fill out the remainder of her term.

The district held an information session on Monday for potential candidates, as officials have done in the past, and three people attended the meeting. However, so far, no more takers.

So what happens if no one signs up to run by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15?

According to Clerk Roger Phillips, residents could run via write-in vote this November. If no one is elected via write-in, the school could appoint Concord residents to fill out the seat for one year until the next election, which would be November 2015.

Next year, the three three-year at-large seats open up again. Kass Ardinger, Clint Cogswell, and Oliver Spencer currently hold those three seats.

To signup to run visit Phillips’ law office, 104 Pleasant St. (use the Pine Street entrance), from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays. The filing period closes at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15.