Although elections across the state have been pushed back from April 7 to June 2 because of the coronavirus pandemic, school districts, like Hillsboro R-3, that did not require a board of education election may install new members this month.
If the number of school board candidates who filed to run equals the number of seats up for election on that board, a school district does not need to hold an election.
Such is the case with the Hillsboro R-3 Board of Education. Incumbents Beth Petry and Angie Oshia filed to run for the three open seats on the board, as did former board member Erick Stephenson. So, both Petry and Oshia were assured another three-year term on the board, as was Stephenson, replacing incumbent Jane Heine, who did not sign up to run for re-election.
Superintendent Jon Isaacson said the three will be sworn into their offices on Tuesday, April 21.
“They’ll all be sworn in during the teleconference,” he said.
“The governor’s order (to hold the elections in June) specifically states that in such situations where there will not be an election, the candidates may assume the responsibilities of the office as if the election had taken place April 7th,” according to the Missouri School Boards Association website.
The other R-3 board members are Lisa Welker, Rob Kruse, Renee Sucharski and Jon Schuessler.
