Day, Gelsey, Newkirk unopposed for school board

Three Candidates File For Three Board Seats

The filing period for municipal elections is over as of 5pm today, and we have our candidates for school board.

There are two at-large seats up for reelection.  The two winners serve three year terms.  At-large means the candidates may come from any of the three towns.  Two candidates filed:  Denise Day, who has served on the board for the last nine years, and Giana Gelsey, who ran and lost last year.

The Durham seat is also up for election. A candidate must reside in Durham to run for the seat, though voters from all three towns get to vote in the election.  The term is only one year, the remainder of Member Yusi Turell's term, who has resigned. Only one candidate filed for the seat: Tom Newkirk. Tom served on the board for 10 years, starting in 2012, seven of those as chair.  Tom chose not to seek reelection in March, 2022; he gave himself last year off.

Though the possibility of a write-in campaign exists, in the past whenever we've had as many candidates as seats on the ballot, they've always all won.  So allow me be the first to congratulate Denise Day, Giana Gelsey and Tom Newkirk for their likely election to the ORCSD board.  Congratulations, and thank you for your service.

I should mention that someone filed to run for school board today and withdrew later today.  Since they're not running, I'll preserve their privacy and not mention their name.  I will say that this person also volunteered to serve when Member Kenny Rotner passed away in 2018, but was not then appointed.  If I had to guess I'd say this person was somewhat reluctant to serve this time, but commendably stepped up when it appeared the seat might not be filled, and honorably withdrew when Giana Gelsey filed and the person saw their service was not necessary.  I want to thank them for their willingness to serve.  If you're out there, please let me know if you want me to tell folks your name.

Chair Williams Likely to Become Moderator

[EDIT: 2/9/23 I learned at the Deliberative Session that Rick Laughton decided not to run for moderator.  Sorry for the error, folks.]

Two Candidates Run for Moderator

We have a real race for moderator.  As usual Rick Laughton filed; he's been the only moderator I've ever known.

In a surprising development, current School Board Chair Michael Williams filed to run for moderator.  I was sad when Michael decided not to run for school board again.  I'm glad he's staying involved in the district.  

The main function of the moderator is to run the Deliberative Session in February.  The 2023 DS is coming up on Tuesday, February 7, 7pm in the ORMS Recital Hall. It's a real election where a majority of the voters in attendance get to amend the proposed budget.  The various questions on the possibly amended budget get approved or denied on election day in March.

I have also seen the moderator running around on election day, though I'm not exactly sure what their job is then. 

Selectboard Race in Lee

I try not to spend too much time on Lee in this blog, but I'll relay important news when I get it. Unofficially I hear there are two candidates for the Lee Selectboard seat, incumbent Scott Bugbee and newcomer Erik Johnson. 

The Lee Deliberative Session is tomorrow (Saturday) 9 am. I won't be there because I co-coach the ORMS Mathcounts team, which is competing in the Seacoast Regional Mathcounts Competition tomorrow morning at UNH.  With any luck we'll advance to the State Competition in March.

I'll see you at the ORCSD Deliberative Session on Tuesday.  Stay warm, everybody.