Five candidates seek two spots on school board

Whitefish School Board trustee election filing closed Thursday and there will be five names on the ballots for the May 4 election.

There are two seats available for the upcoming election as the terms of Ruth Harrison and Betsy Kohnstamm are set to expire in May. Both Harrison and Kohnstamm have decided not to seek reelection.

According to Whitefish Schools Business Clerk Lucie Shea, the candidates include David Diehl, Quincy Bennetts, Emily Morrow, Leanette Kearns and Todd Lengacher.

Shea said the interest shown from potential candidates is significantly more than most elections in the past.

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. She declined to give a reason for not seeking reelection other than opening up the opportunity to other candidates.

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. She is stepping down mainly for personal reasons.

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 is April 1.