RANSOM — On the Western Plains Unified School District 106 Board of Education there are a total of seven seats.

Three of those positions will be up for election this year.

The members of the current board are President Dr. Allen McLain, Smokey Fairbank, Lowell Foos, Denise Flax, Scott Corsair, Janet Ryersee and Marie Bernbeck.

Corsair has been on a board of education for 22 years.

He said he will not run for reelection for the next term.

Hiring a superintendent and the closing of the elementary school building were what he thought were the most important decisions the board encountered in his most recent term.

Bernbeck has been on the board for more than three years.

She said she hasn’t made up her mind as to whether she wants to run for reelection.

She believes the biggest obstacle the board has encountered this term was dealing with the public over decisions that were made.

Ryersee has been on the board since 1999.

She said she is going to run again.

“I believe it’s a great way to stay active and have an active voice in the community,” Ryersee said. “We can make the best decisions for our kids.”

Ryersee said the closing of the grade school building was a very sentimental and difficult decision for the board, but it will save the district a lot of money.

Dr. McLain has been on the board for six years.

He said this last year has “kind of been a tense time.”

The board is looking for ways to utilize the north elementary building.

There are several requirements for running for a board position.

You must be an eligible voter and live in the district.

You can run for the Bazine area, Ransom area, or an at large seat.

In order to get your name on a ballot, you must register at the County Clerk’s Office in Ness City and pay a filing fee.

If more than two people run for a position, then a primary election is held to narrow it down to two.

If you are interested in running for a seat, you must file a ballot by late January or early February.  

The elections will be held after the ballots have been submitted.

A school board term is a total of four years, and the current term will end June 30.

The new members will take office July 1.