School board election season for Eastern Niagara districts in progress

Mar. 27—Prospective school trustees in local non-city school districts are carrying petitions now to get on the May 21 ballot.

For most school districts in eastern Niagara County, the petitioning period got underway earlier this month.

In the Barker district, three trustee seats are up for election, those held by school board president Randy Atwater, Candice Gancasz and Virginia Voss. Atwater is the only candidate so far to turn in a nominating petition at the district office, according to district clerk Mary Eadie.

In the Newfane district, three trustee seats are up for election, those held by Margaux Benoit, Anthony Casinelli and Emma Oudette.

Among all candidates in the Newfane race, the two who receive the most votes will be elected to three-year terms of office that take effect July 1. The candidate who receives the third highest number of votes will serve a one-year term of office that takes effect immediately after the election, according to the Newfane district office. The one-year trustee will complete the term of former trustee Noah Everett, who resigned in June 2023.

In the Starpoint district, three school board seats are up for election, those held by current trustees Gregory Brehem, Michelle Leuer and Jason Madden.

In the Royalton-Hartland district, two board seats are up for election, those held by trustees David Huntington and Jason Wilhelm.

In the Wilson district, two board seats are up for election, those held by trustees Christopher Carlin, board president, and Tracey Kent.

In all districts, a full term of office for a school trustee is three years.

Candidate petitions are due by April 22 in all districts.