Three file for school board election as deadline approaches

Three candidates have filed to run for two open seats for the Whitefish School Board of Trustees.

As of Monday three candidates had filed to run in the election — David Diehl, Quincy Bennetts and Emily Morrow. The deadline to file is March 25 for the May 4 election.

According to Whitefish Schools Business Clerk Lucie Shea, the district only has a few details regarding the three new candidates’ backgrounds.

Shea says the candidates didn’t reveal many details about themselves in the initial filing, but knows they come from diverse backgrounds. Diehl is a former member of the military, Bennetts is a parent and works in a medical profession, and Morrow owns a fitness studio, according to Shea.

“None of these three have any educational background which is perfectly fine because we are interested in diversity,” she said.

Filing is still open for interested candidates and paperwork must be completed and submitted to the district office by March 25 at 4:30 p.m. Those interested must provide a declaration of intent and oath of candidacy prior to the deadline, and must be a qualified voter residing in the Whitefish School District boundary.

Trustees Ruth Harrison and Betsy Kohnstamm’s terms both expire in May and as of Monday neither had filed for reelection..

Harrison was first appointed to the board of trustees in 2005, and out of all the current trustees has been on the school board for the most consecutive terms. Kohnstamm is finishing up her first term on the board as she was elected in 2018 after retiring from a teaching career the year prior.

Trustees serve in staggered three-year terms and the number of terms a trustee can serve is not limited.

The last day to withdraw from the election and also for a write-in candidate to file a declaration of intent is April 1.

Those interested in running for the school board, can contact the Whitefish School District office at 406-862-8643.