Three seats open in trustee election

Three Whitefish School Board trustee seats are up for election this spring.

The three-year terms of Shawn Watts, Heather Vrentas and Shannon Hanson are up for election. Hanson was appointed to the board this winter after Dave Fern resigned.

The filing deadline is March 23. Prospective candidates can contact the Whitefish School District main office to apply.

The election is May 2.

Watts currently serves as chairman of the board and was first elected to the school board in 2011. He said he is undecided if he will seek re-election.

“Whether or not I run I would encourage other people who have interest in the school district to put their name in the hat,” Watts said.

Vrentas was also elected to the school board in 2011.

Hanson was selected in January to fill out the term left open when Fern resigned after his election to the Montana Legislature.

Hanson served two previous terms on the school board before losing his bid for re-election to the board in 2012. He was selected to serve as vice chairman of the board in his second term.

As of presstime, Vrentas and Hanson did not return phone calls seeking comment on whether or not they will seek re-election.