CHECKLIST FOR QUALIFIED SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES (from MASB)

Put children first A qualified school board candidate should believe that every student deserves an equal, quality education. They should have a true commitment to the successful future of all students in the district and a proven history of advocacy on their behalf. 

No personal or political agenda Board candidates shouldn’t be running on their own personal agenda or political aspirations. Instead, they must have a passion for public education and believe that all students are entitled to a quality education. 

Provide leadership A qualified school board candidate should be passionate about moving the district forward. To accomplish this, a candidate needs to be an innovative problem solver who’s effective in building consensus and isn’t adverse to change and reform. 

Appreciate diversity A qualified candidate values the diversity of cultures and demonstrates a willingness to address the social needs of all children and their families. 

Understand budget and finances Qualified school board candidates must under- stand their role as fiscal managers of the district with the responsibility of dedicating resources to the priorities of the district while maintaining a balanced budget. 

Know educational policy A qualified school board candidate should be somewhat familiar with education policy and the role of the school board in policy making. 

Demonstrate integrity A qualified school board candidate must be a person who has demonstrated honesty, integrity and trustworthiness and adheres to a high ethical standard. 

Understands community outreach A qualified school board candidate understands the importance of engaging the community in the school board’s decision-making process. 

Expects accountability A qualified school board candidate must be able to hold the superintendent accountable to the goals of the district and in turn recognize they are accountable to the community. 

November 8, 2022 Election

There will be three (3) Board of Education seats on the November 8, 2022 ballot.  One (1)  partial term (January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2026) and two (2) full term (January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2028).

Eligibility

To be eligible, a candidate must be a registered voter within the Grand Ledge Public Schools district.  The candidate must be at least 18 years of age; a citizen of the U.S.; a resident of the State of Michigan for at least 30 days; and a resident of the school district on or before the 30th day prior to the date of the election.  Property ownership is not a requirement for candidacy.

Be aware - the Michigan Constitution was amended to make a person ineligible for election or appointment to any state or local elective office if the person was convicted of a felony involving dishonesty, deceit, fraud or a breach of the public trust within the preceding 20 years, and the conviction was related to the person's official capacity while holding any elective office or position of employment in local, state, or federal government.  

Filing Deadline

Nominating petitions or filing fees for local school board candidates must be filed in accordance with county deadlines.  The last day to file nominating petitions and the Affidavit of Identity is Tuesday, July 26, 2022 by 4:00 p.m., in the County Clerk's Office.  Withdrawal deadline is July 29, 2022.  

Filing Fees

Board of Education candidates have the option of paying a nonrefundable filing fee of $100 to the Eaton County Clerk's Office instead of filing a nominating petition.  If paid by the appropriate due date, the fee has the same effect as filing a nominating petition.

Nominating Petitions

1. Filing

The election consolidation law requires nominating petitions (or the $100 fee) and the affidavit of identity to be filed with the "school district filing official" (Eaton County Clerk's Office for Grand Ledge).  

2. Signatures

In all local school districts, nominating petitions must meet the following signature requirements:

• If the population of the school district is less than 10,000 according to the most recent federal census, a petition must be signed by a minimum of six registered voters of the school district and a maximum of 20.

• If the population of the school district is 10,000 or more according to the most recent federal census, a petition must be signed by a minimum of 40 registered voters of the school district and a maximum of 100.

• If nominating petitions contain more than the necessary number of signatures, the excess signatures are NOT counted.

NOTE:  An elector may only sign petitions equal to the number of board members that will be elected in the school district. 

Statement of Organization

All candidates running for office in Grand Ledge Public Schools must file the Statement of Organization form, as required by the Campaign Finance Law.  This form is due within 10 days of declaring your candidacy.

Circulator 

A petition sheet can not be circulated by more than one person.

A person who circulates nominating petitions for a school board election must be registered to vote in Michigan.  The circulator must complete and date the certificate at the bottom of the petition after gathering the last signature he or she intends to collect on the petition.  Signatures on a petition sheet that are dated after the date on the circulator's certificate are invalid.

A petition sheet can not be circulated in, nor signed by, electors residing in more than one township or city.  Only those electors residing in the township or city identified in the petition heading are eligible to sign that petition sheet.

All signatures on a petition sheet must be affixed in a face-to-face exchange with the petition circulator.  A circulator isn't permitted to leave a petition unattended.

Term

Per the May 23, 2016 Board Resolution, effective with the November 2016 Election, Grand Ledge Public Schools transitioned to 6-year terms of office for all Board Trustees.  

For further information, forms, and the number to the Eaton County Clerk's Office, please click the Candidate Information link on the right side of this page under Important Links.