Published: 9/20/2022 5:16:52 PM
Modified: 9/20/2022 5:16:13 PM
Two new candidates have joined three incumbents running for seats on the Concord School Board, creating two contested races on the Nov. 8 ballot.
There are three School Board seats up for election this year, including one in District A (representing wards 1, 2, 3 and 4), one in District B (representing wards 5, 6 and 7) and one in District C (wards 8, 9 and 10). The filing period for candidates to register to run closed on Monday.
In District C, challenger Sarah Robinson will be running against incumbent Gina Cannon, who has been on the board since 2020 and has served one term.
In District B, challenger Cara Meeker will be running against incumbent David Parker, who has been on the board since 2020 and has served one term.
Incumbent school board president Jim Richards will be running unopposed in District A. Richards has been on the board since 2015, and has served one two-year term and two three-year terms.
In recent years, interest in serving on the School Board hasn’t managed to top 2020, when 10 candidates vied for four open seats. Just one year later, the 2021 election was uncontested as three candidates – including two incumbents – ran for three seats.
On Election Day, Concord voters will also be asked to weigh in on several questions put forward by the Concord School District Charter Commission, regarding changes to the district’s governing document. The questions will range from whether to allow the School board to set its own stipends to how to fill vacancies when a school board member moves out of district, as well as some terminology changes.
Concord residents will vote on Election Day, Nov. 8, and the winning candidates will begin their three-year terms on Jan. 1, 2023.