School board nominations now being accepted

Nomination forms for open seats in the September school board elections will be accepted through Aug. 4.

Monday was the first day candidates could submit nomination forms to their local school district. The number of signatures required on each form depends on the district.

The Cedar Rapids school district has four seats on the Sept. 13 ballot -- districts 1 and 4 and two at-large seats. As of today, two candidates have filed papers.

John Laverty, who is the current school board president, submitted his form for one of the at-large seats.

Allen Witt submitted a form for the District 4 seat.

Nomination papers for Cedar Rapids school board seats may be picked up from the Board Secretary in Building 303 at the ESC at Kingston campus, 907 15th Street SW. School board candidates must obtain the signatures of at least 50 electors.

More than 2,000 men and women serve on local school boards throughout the state. School board members are elected to serve four-year terms, with elections taking place in odd-numbered years.

Elected board members serve as volunteers, receiving no pay.