Qualifying is currently underway for the two elected seats on the Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School Board. The other three members will be appointed by the Winona Board of Aldermen, per the consolidation statute.
According to Montgomery County Circuit Clerk Lanelle Martin, Montgomery County, excluding the City of Winona, has been divided in two districts – District 1 which is made up of the north half of the county and District 2 which is made up of the south half.
Martin said District 1 is made up of those who vote during county elections at the Duck Hill precinct, North Duck Hill precinct, Mt. Pisgah precinct, Lodi precinct, North Mt. Pisgah/Sweethome precinct, North Winona precinct, and part of the West Winona precinct. District 2 is made up of those who vote at East Winona precinct, Kilmichael precinct, Nations precinct, North Kilmichael precinct, Poplar Creek precinct, Southeast Winona precinct, Stewart precinct, South Winona precinct, and part of the West Winona precinct.
“Only those who live outside the city limits of Winona can qualify and run [in the school board races],” Martin said.
Also, only those who live outside the city limits of Winona can vote in the school board election.
Martin said one has qualified to run for either seat, however, the qualification deadline is September 7 at 5 p.m. She explained that to qualify, candidates must get at least 50 signatures of qualified electors (registered voters) in the specific district.
“Signatures have to be verified by my office before the deadline,” Martin said. “So those qualifying should get them to me two or three days before. They better plan ahead.”
Martin said qualifying documents can be picked up at the Circuit Clerk’s office located in the Montgomery County Courthouse on Summit Street. They can also be found on the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office website.
In Carroll County, qualifying is underway for Beat 3 and Beat 4 seats on the Carroll County School District Board of Trustees. The seats are currently occupied by Laura Norwood Davis and Daniel Vest. Earlier this year, Davis announced that she will not seeking re-election of her Beat 3 seat.
Davis has served on the school board since 1982 and Vest has served on the school board since 2013. Officials said those who are interested in the seats have until September 6 to qualify and need 50 signatures from people who live in their beat.
Both races will be decided during the general election to be held on November 6.
