Independence School District voters will choose someone to fill a vacant seat on the school board during a special election next month.
The Independence Board of Education had temporarily appointed Mitch Barnett to the open Director District 1 seat in early January after Brad Bleichner resigned in December. But in a recent conversation with the district’s legal counsel, the Board has learned they were misinformed on the process of filling a vacancy by appointment and that the school board member must live within the boundaries of the district they are appointed to represent. Barnett lives in District 2 and is not eligible to represent District 1.
While the Board appreciates Barnett’s willingness to serve when no one else would, they’re moving forward to correct the error and are seeking a candidate who lives within the District 1 boundaries to serve from March until the general election in November. District 1 is comprised primarily of the northeast side of Independence, runs across the northern portion of the school district and wraps around to include the area by River Ridge Golf Course.
With the timing of Bleichner’s resignation in December and the Board’s decision to move forward with the PPEL referendum next month, Iowa law states the District 1 seat must be on the special election ballot.
Interested candidates should contact the Administration Office for paperwork, which should be completed and returned by 3 pm this Friday. If you have any questions, contact Board Secretary and Director of Finance Laura Morine at 319-332-0458.
The Independence Community School District’s special election is March 7th.
