The only contested race for a seat on the New Hampton School Board is for the at-large post, with Kayla Smith challenging 12–year incumbent Tim Denner.
Denner says re-election allows for continuity of school leadership.
Smith acknowledges she hasn’t served on a school board previously, but she’s ready to listen and learn.
Both agree, serving on the school board is about the students.
Smith is running for her kids and all kids in the district.
Both Denner and Smith are looking for election via write-in votes. Because Denner’s nomination papers were submitted by the school district to the Chickasaw County Auditor’s Office after the filing deadline and Smith had filed her papers directly with the auditor’s office, which was not the proper procedure, neither Denner’s nor Smith’s names appear on the ballot.
The late filing issue also means the names of New Hampton School Board candidates Adam Schwickerath and Ryan Shawver, as well as Turkey Valley School Board candidates Katie Stika and Don Blazek, will also not appear on the ballots. Thus, all are seeking re-election via write-in votes.
