CHENANGO COUNTY – Petitions are now available for qualified candidates interested in running for school board positions at each of Chenango County’s school districts.

Prospective board members must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the district they wish to serve, qualified to vote in the district and be able to read and write. In general, they cannot be employed by the Board on which they wish to serve; reside in the same household with a family member who is also a member of the same school board; nor can they simultaneously hold another incompatible public office. Residency requirements vary by district.

Information on the positions opening, as well as petition and residency requirements are listed for each of Chenango County’s nine school districts below. In order to appear on the May 19 ballot, individuals must complete a petition with the required number of signatures by the stated deadline.

The terms of the current school board members listed are due to expire on June 30.

Afton

In Afton, one board of education seat is up for grabs. William Latham, who has given 15 years of service to the board, has announced his intention to retire from the board and will not seek a fourth 5-year term in office.

According to Superintendent Betty Briggs, interested candidates may pick up a petition at between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the District Office, 29 Academy Street in Afton. Petitions must have a minimum of 25 signatures and be returned on or before April 19. Prospective board members must be residents of the district for a minimum of one year prior to the election.

Those with questions may contact the superintendent’s office at 639-8200.

Bainbridge-Guilford

This year, the Bainbridge Guilford board of education will have two vacancies for three-year terms. Those seats are currently occupied by Nancy Hinkley and Dr. Barbara Renton. According to District Clerk Sue Metch, Renton, who has served on the board since 2004, will not be seeking re-election for an additional term.

Interested candidates may pick up a petition at the District Office, 18 Juliand Street in Bainbridge. Petitions must have a minimum of 25 signatures of district residents and be returned by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 19. Prospective board members must be residents of the district for a minimum of one continuous year prior to the election.

For more information, contact the District Office at 967-6321.

Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton

This year, GMU will have two vacancies on the district’s board of education; both are 3-year terms. Those seats are currently being held by Board Vice President Joe Gonzalez and Board Member Mark Talbot. Neither man has indicated an intention to seek re-election.

Interested candidates may pick up a petition at the District/Main Office, 693 State Highway 51 in Gilbertsville. Petitions must have a minimum of 25 signatures of district residents and be returned by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 19. Prospective board members must be residents of the district for at least 30 days prior to the election.

For more information, contact the district office at 783-2207, ext. 140.

Greene

Greene will have three board of education vacancies to fill in the upcoming election. Each is a three-year term. The seats which will expire June 30 are currently held by Board President Chris Cox, and board members Helen Hunsinger and June Cooper.

Petitions may be obtained by contacting the district clerk at 656-4161, ext. 224 or the district office at 656-4161, ext. 214. Completed petitions require at least 25 qualified signatures, and must be returned by 5 p.m. on April 19.

Questions should be directed to either the district clerk or district office.

Sherburne-Earlville

There are three seats open in Sherburne-Earlville Central Schools District, all for three-year terms. The seats are currently held by Thomas Caton and Patrick Dunshee, both of Earlville, and Thomas Morris of Sherburne. All three were elected as new board members in 2007. All three have indicated an interest in running for re-election.

Petitions are available at the district clerk’s office. They require 25 signatures and must be returned to the District Clerk Georgena Muhlfeld by April 19. For more information, call 674-7330.

Otselic Valley

This year, the Otselic Valley Central Schools Board of Education will have one vacancy for a 5-year term. The seat is currently occupied by Greg Brown, who has served the district for 11 years.

Petitions may be obtained by contacting District Clerk Gail Burpee at (315) 653-4003. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday. Petitions require 25 signatures and must be returned by 5 p.m. on April 19.

Oxford

The Oxford Academy and Central Schools board of education will have one vacancy for a 3-year term. The seat is currently occupied by School Board President Robin DeBrita, who has served on the board since 1998. DeBrita has indicated she plans to seek re-election.

Interested candidates may pick up a petition at the District Office, located in the Oxford Middle School, Fort Hill Park in Oxford. Petitions must have a minimum of 25 qualified signatures and be returned by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 19. Prospective board members must be residents of the district for a minimum of one continuous year prior to the election, and may not have been removed from any district office within the preceding year.

For more information, contact the District Office at 843-2025.

Norwich City Schools

The Norwich City Schools has a total of three vacancies on the district’s school board. Two of the seats, which are currently held by Vice President Kathy Coates and President Bob Patterson, are for 3-year terms. Coates served on the board from 1997 to 2000, and then again from 2004 to present. Patterson has served a total of 12 years on the board, including two terms in the 90’s and most recently from 2004 to present.

The remaining seat is a 1-year term, necessary to fill the remainder of the term vacated as a result of Board Member Tim Brown’s resignation last May. Bill Loomis, who was appointed in July to fill the seat, has indicated his intention of running for the spot in the upcoming election.

Interested candidates can obtain a petition at the District Office, 89 Midland Drive, Norwich. Petitions require a minimum of 100 signatures of district residents, and must be returned on or before April 28. Prospective board members must be residents of the district for a minimum of one continuous year prior to the election, and can not hold any city office with the exception of police or fire.

Questions should be directed to Acting District Clerk Pam Salvati at 334-1600, ext. 5506.

Unadilla Valley

The Unadilla Valley Central School District will have two vacancies this year, both for 3-year terms. The seats are currently occupied by Brian Burchill, who has served the district for 11 years, and Board Vice President Stan Foulds, who has served for 12 years. Both men have indicated their intention to run for re-election.

Petitions may be obtained at the district office, 4238 State Hwy. 8 in New Berlin. Completed petitions require at least 25 qualified signatures, and must be returned on or before April 19. Candidates must be residents of the district for a minimum of one year prior to the election.

For more information, contact the district office at 847-7500, ext. 1131.

– Tyler Murphy, Melissa deCordova and Brian Golden contributed to this report.